The deadline for filing for local political office was Tuesday at noon, and NewsCow has gotten its hands on the list of all candidates in races countywide. No races will require a primary, so the general election April 5 will decide all contests.
Just because there is no primary, does not mean there aren’t plenty of candidates for local city and school board positions. Here’s how the races in each city and school district break down:
WINFIELD CITY COMMISSION –
Most notable in this race is a name that won’t be in the running for the first time in a long, long time. City commissioner Phil Jarvis, as has been expected for a while now, will leave the commission after 20 years of service.
The three-member panel’s senior member said, simply, that it’s time for “new blood” on the commission.
(On a personal note, I’ve always really gotten along well with Phil and wish him well in his other endeavors. I certainly never questioned how much he cared about the city and its well being. I’m sad to see him go.)
Tom McNeish did file for reelection and will face four opponents – including two men who have served on the city commission previously.
Mike Ledy and Greg Thompson both are former city commissioners who have signed up to challenge McNeish. Webster Roth and Merrill Gordon, a local architect, are also in the field.
The top vote getter will earn a four-year term on the commission. The second place finisher has to run again in two years.
ARK CITY COMMISSION –
True to his word, Mell Kuhn did not file for reelection and will therefore give up his seat on the city commission in Ark City. Now someone else will have to assume the role of the commission’s live wire.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of others who have lined up to make a run in a city that has seen some significant governmental turmoil over the last couple years.
Incumbents Dotty Smith and Jean Snell both have filed for reelection. Snell is finishing up his first two-year stay on the five-member panel.
Chad Giles, Joel Hockenbury, Ronald Hirst and Charles M. Tweedy III are challengers in the race. Hockenbury has previously served as a city commissioner.
The top two vote getters will earn four-year terms and the candidate in third place will earn a two-year term.
WINFIELD SCHOOL BOARD (USD 465) –
It’s a crowded field running for a seat on the board of education in Winfield. Eight candidates are seeking just four open positions.
Of those filed, only Lyle Weinert is currently serving on the school board, which has seven members.
Weinert’s challengers are Jamie Kaiser, Blaine Kohpay, Jason P. Speegle, Cheri Hulse, Michael John Rozell, Lynn Herlocker and Jamie Hibbs.
ARK CITY SCHOOL BOARD (USD 470) –
Jon W. Oak is the only one of four incumbents who chose to seek reelection to the school board. Mike Walker, Janet Carroll and Tim Harmon let the deadline expire without filing.
Mike Munson, Parkerfield, and Ark City residents Thomas W. Stalnaker, Marty Moulton and Shawn McGrew are challenging Oak for the open seats.
BURDEN CITY COUNCIL and SCHOOL BOARD –
Mayor Judy Colvin will face two challengers in her bid for reelection. Kenneth W. Taylor and Marvin L. Stovall both filed for the position.
Larry Deets and Kendle Doll have filed for reelection to the city council and will run uncontested.
Just one race for a seat on the Central Burden school board is contested. Steve Atkins and Michelle Koppelmann will face off for position #3.
UDALL CITY COUNCIL and SCHOOL BOARD –
Three people have filed for three open seats on the Udall City Council, so there will be no contested races.
In the race for school board, Lamecia Rockey and Anette Boslaugh are running for position #2.
Brett Bannon and Donna Gilbreath have filed for an at-large position.
DEXTER CITY COUNCIL and SCHOOL BOARD –
Five people have filed for five open spots on the Dexter City Council, so there will be no contested races.
Steve Joyce is uncontested for mayor.
Cheryl Waggoner and Rich Helsel are running for position #1 on the Dexter school board. Brian Stone and Steven Boatman are seeking position #2.
ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL –
Becky Stark, Beverly Yarbrough and Arlene Fisher have filed to run for two open seats on the Atlanta City Council.
Timothy Smith is uncontested for mayor.
PARKERFIELD –
There are no contested city races.
CAMBRIDGE –
No one has filed for open city positions. These are usually filled by write-in vote.
