Prewitt latest incumbent to file for re-election; filing deadline is Jan. 7

There will officially be a race for the 34^th Judicial District Division One Judge’s seat next year.

On Tuesday, incumbent Cathy Prewitt filed to seek re-election, and will face opposition from Corbin lawyer Seth Reeves. Provided a third candidate doesn’t enter the race, the election for this seat won’t be appear on the ballot until the November General Election.

In the event of a three-person race, the race would appear on the May Primary ballot with the top two vote getters moving onto the General Election.

Also, Bob Lawson filed Tuesday to challenge incumbent Third-District Magistrate Michael Jarboe.

Nearly every county office is up for election next year, and the filing deadline for the May Primary Election is 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7.

Besides the judge’s race, there will be several other contested races in Whitley County next year.

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

Incumbent PVA Ronnie Moses and will face opposition from challenger Herb Petrey.

After the recent withdrawal of incumbent Jailer Brian Lawson from next year’s jailer’s race, the number of competitors in that race is up to six people.

Candidates already on the ballot include: Matthew Leach, Jeff Hurst, Williamsburg Police Lt. Brandon Duane White, Rocky Moses Jr., 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 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, and Second-District Magistrate Mondo Cima 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.

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.