For the March 4 primary election, the filing deadline for partisan candidates in local races is Jan. 4. Several hopefuls have picked up petitions; a few have already filed their petitions. The following is a status report as of Dec. 3.
County Court Races
Glenn S. Hamilton has picked up a petition to run for re-election to the seat of Madison County Probate-Juvenile Court judge. R. David Picken, currently Madison County’s Municipal Court judge, also has picked up a petition for the probate-juvenile seat. Both men are Republicans. According to Madison County Board of Elections Director Timothy A. Ward, Gov. Ted Strickland will appoint someone to the Municipal Court vacancy should Picken run for and win the probate/juvenile court seat.
Stephen Pronai has picked up a petition to run for re-election as county prosecutor.
County Commissioners
Several residents have stopped in the Board of Elections to pick up petitions to run for county commissioner. The seat now held by Robert Hackett would start Jan. 2, 2009. The seat now held by Chris Snyder would start Jan. 3, 2009.
Hackett has announced his intentions to run for state representative in the 84th District. Republican Michael Boerger, currently a Pike Township trustee whose term ends Dec. 31, 2009, has already circulated and filed his petition for Hackett’s seat as county commissioner.
Others who have picked up petitions for Hackett’s seat include Democrat Tom Buscemi and Republicans Theodore Clemans, Leon Creamer, Mark Forrest and John Stahl. Creamer and Forrest are Jefferson Township trustees, both with terms that end on Dec. 31, 2009. Stahl was re-elected in November to another term as an at-large member of London City Council.
Republican Chris Snyder has picked up a petition to run for re-election. Democrat Robert Presley III also has picked up a petition for the seat.
Other County Races
Republican Charles Reed has circulated and filed his petition to run for re-election as county recorder.
Republican William Stidham circulated and filed a petition to run for re-election as county treasurer. Jennifer Hunter has picked up two petitions, one as a Republican and one as an Independent, to run for the treasurer’s seat.
James Sabin has picked up a petition to run for re-election to the seat of county sheriff. Republican David Brand has done the same for his seat as county engineer.
Dr. James W. Kaehr, a Republican, has picked up a petition to run for county coroner, a position he now holds by appointment.
State Representative Race
Robert Hackett, currently a Madison County commissioner, is circulating a petition to run for state representative of the 84th District, a seat now held by Chris Widener of Springfield. Craig Saunders also is circulating petitions for the 84th District seat. Both Hackett and Saunders are Republicans.
State Senator Race
Four people have picked up petitions from the Greene County Board of Elections for the 10th District state senate race. (The district includes Madison County.) They are James E. Howard, W. Reed Madden, Roger Tackett, and current state Rep. Chris Widener.
Issues
For the primary election, the filing deadline for issues is Dec. 20. To date, the only issue filed with the Board of Elections is Mount Sterling Public Library’s request for a 1-mill levy for operating expenses.
For more information
Anyone who wants to know more about running for local office may call the Board of Elections at 740-852-9424 or stop by 117 W. High St., Suite 102, London.
With the primary election taking place in March rather than May, some deadlines have changed. Candidate petitions must be filed 60 days prior to election (Jan. 4), rather than the usual 75 days. Also, the Board of Elections must have absentee ballots ready for distribution 25 days prior to the election (Feb. 8), rather than the usual 35 days.
