By Louie Graves
Leader staff
Howard County Democrats suffered a heavy lick, in the past week, when 11 local, incumbent, elected officials “flipped” affiliation either to the Republican party or Independent when filing for re-election.
The flips resulted in only a few contested races, however.
Among those changing party affiliation or becoming independent were the Howard County judge, sheriff, treasurer and coroner; one newcomer to county office — county clerk; three members of the Howard County Quorum Court; and three Nashville aldermen.
In all, 13 candidates filed as Democrats; 12 as Republicans; and four as Independents in the filing period which ended Monday. The Preferential Primary Election for each party is in March of 2016
Candidates who filed included (*indicates incumbent):
County Judge – *Kevin Smith (R); no opponent.
County Clerk – Keri Teague (R); no opponent.
County Treasurer – *Sheri Mixon (R); no opponent.
Circuit Clerk – *Angie Lewis (D); no opponent.
Tax Assessor – *Debbie Teague (D); no opponent.
County Sheriff – *Bryan McJunkins (I); no opponent.
County Coroner – *John Gray (R); no opponent.
JP Dist. 1 – *Kerry Strasner (I); no opponent.
JP Dist. 2 – Gary Welch (R); *Archie W. Cothren (D).
JP Dist. 3 – *Richard ‘Dick’ Wakefield (R); no opponent.
JP. Dist. 4 – *Janice Huffman (I); no opponent.
JP Dist. 5 – *Jerry Harwell (R); Julie Tuck (D).
JP Dist. 6 – *Brent Pinkerton (I); no opponent.
JP Dist. 7 – *Martha Hobbs (D); no opponent.
JP Dist. 8. – Kirk Bell (D); no opponent.
JP Dist. 9 – *Bobby Don Turner (D); no opponent.
Two Democratic Party officials filed for the office of constable in townships. Alberta Motta (D) is seeking the office for Township 1; David E. Ray (D) and Andrew McCauley (R) are candidates for Township 3.
Nashville is the only municipality in the county in which city council candidates run as party candidates.
Four incumbent Nashville aldermen either “flipped” from Democrat to Republican or filed for the first time as a Republican. They are Matt Smith, Ward 1 Position1; Joe Hoen, W1 P2; Donna Harwell, W21 P1; and Carol Mitchell, W5 P2. None have opposition.
Democrat aldermen who filed for re-election included Nick Davis, W2 P2; Vivian Annie Wright, W3 P2; Andy Anderson, W6 P1; and Michael C. Milum, W6 P2.
Pike County
The closing of the filing period Monday in Pike County bought about a common occurrence – a contested race for the office of sheriff and collector.
Pike County Sheriff Charlie, 62, of Glenwood, who is seeking his sixth two-year term, filed for re-election as a Democrat. His opponent will be Roger “Bimbo” Flemens, 62, of Newhope, who filed as a Republican.
Pike County’s only other contested race is for the unpaid position of Mountain Township Constable. Incumbent Wade Coffman (D) will face Chris Thompson (D) on the upcoming ballot.
Candidates who filed included (*indicates incumbent):
County Judge – *Dewight Mack (D); no opponent
County Clerk – *Sandy Campbell (D), no opponent
Circuit Clerk – *Sabrina Williams (D); no opponent
Tax Assessor – *Rebecca Alden (D); no opponent
County Treasurer – *Loletia Rather (D); no opponent
County Coroner – Sonny Simmons (D); no opponent
Missouri Township Constable – *Ricky Branch (D); no opponent
JP Dist. 1 – *John Terrell (D); no opponent
JP Dist. 2 – *Robbie Crocker (D); no opponent
JP Dist. 3 – *Ricky Buck (D); no opponent
JP Dist. 4 – *Ed Jones (D); no opponent
JP Dist. 5 – *Jerry Fendley; no opponent
JP Dist. 6 – *Verl Stovall (R); no opponent
JP Dist. 7 – *David Sirmon (R); no opponent
JP Dist. 8 – Johnny Plyler (R); no opponent
JP Dist. 9 – *Paul Baker (D); no opponent
