For first time in nearly 30 years, PVA’s race will be contested

For the first time in nearly 30 years, there will be a contested race for Whitley County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) in Whitley County.

Incumbent Ronnie Moses and challenger Herb Petrey both filed to run for PVA on Dec. 15.

Moses was first elected during a special election in November 1990 to replace Buster Harris, who had resigned in June of that year due to health reasons.

Moses, a Republican, defeated Democrat Jenny Hart Watkins by a vote of 3,817 to 3,223.

He immediately took office once the election results were certified.

Moses only other contested election came in the 1993 May Primary Election when he defeated challenger Gerald Mullins by a vote of 4,093 to 2,636.

There will be several other contested races in Whitley County next year.

After the recent withdrawal of incumbent Jailer Brian Lawson from next year’s jailer’s race, the number of competitors in that race increased by one last week as local barber Rocky Moses Jr. tossed his hat into the ring on Dec. 17.

Candidates already on the ballot include: Matthew Leach, Jeff Hurst, Williamsburg Police Lt. Brandon Duane White, and current jail employees Andrew Fuson and Sandra Hoke.

So far four candidates have officially filed to run for Whitley County Sheriff.

Current Chief Deputy Tim Baker has already filed to run for sheriff as has retired Kentucky State Police Trooper and current sheriff’s department School Resource Officer Willard Scott Bunch, retired KSP Lt. and current Corbin School Resource Officer William “Bill” Elliotte, and Williamsburg resident Benny Joe (BJ) Leach.

Former Jailer Ken Mobley and Third-District Constable Jim Thornton have also announced on Facebook that they plan to run for sheriff, but haven’t formally filed paperwork to seek the position.

Interim Whitley County Sheriff Danny Moses isn’t expected to seek the office that Todd Shelley vacated when he retired on Nov. 30.

Both Justin Daniel Oaks and Jordan Davis have filed to run for third-district constable.

Incumbent Fourth-District Constable Andy Moses is facing opposition from Carl Allen Wade and Malachi Hersey.

Incumbent constables Lonnie Lee Foley (first-district) and Ron “Bubba” Bowling (second-district), have both filed to seek re-election and currently are unopposed.

Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. is facing opposition from Williamsburg Police Officer Dorman Patrick Jr. in the Republican Primary race.

White, an attorney and former business owner, was first elected as judge-executive in 2006 and took office in 2007.

Patrick previously served one term as Third-District Constable, and he has worked as a sheriff’s deputy, firefighter, 911 dispatcher, and an emergency medical responder.

Incumbent Fourth-District Magistrate Raleigh Meadors is seeking re-election and is facing opposition from Paul Buchanan and Eugene Smith.

Incumbent First-District Magistrate Scotty Harrison, Second-District Magistrate Mondo Cima and Third-District Magistrate Michael Jarboe have all filed to seek re-election and are currently unopposed.

Regina Huff, Rep. 82^nd, has announced that she plans to retire after completing her current term in office next year. Williamsburg attorney Nicolas “Nick” Wilson, who won $1 million on the television reality show “Survivor,” is the only candidate in the race thus far. Huff has endorsed him for the position.

Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus and Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison are both unopposed in their bids for re-election.

All six incumbent Williamsburg City Council members have filed to run for re-election, and so far are unopposed, including: Patricia “Patty” Faulkner, Loren Connell, Richard Foley, Mary Ann Stanfill, Erica Broome Harris and Laurel Jeffries West.

Whitley County Clerk Carolyn Willis, Whitley County Attorney Bob Hammons, 34^th Judicial Circuit Division One Circuit Judge Dan Ballou,  Division Two Circuit Judge Paul K. Winchester, Division Two District Judge Fred White have all filed to seek re-election, and are unopposed so far.

Corbin lawyer Seth Reeves has filed to run for the 34^th Judicial District Division One Judge’s seat, which is currently held by incumbent Cathy Prewitt. Prewitt has indicated that she plans to seek re-election, but she hasn’t filed so far.

Fifth District U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers has filed to seek re-election and will have a Republican primary challenge from Gerardo Serrano, of Manchester, Rich Van Dam, of Somerset, and Brandon Russell Monhollen, of London.

The election filing deadline is Jan. 7, 2022.