Fiscal court races draw 24 candidates

Jan. 29--RICHMOND -- Tuesday was the last day to file candidacy for Madison County offices.

The weeks leading up to the deadline saw a rapid increase in hopefuls for various seats, resulting in several races packed with candidates.

Sheriff

Former sheriff Nelson O'Donnell, who previously was with the Kentucky State Police, and Irving Whicker, a self-employed mechanic and contractor who has run for sheriff unsuccessfully in previous elections, will meet in the Republican primary for the chance to challenge Democratic incumbent Mike Coyle. A former chief deputy, Coyle was appointed sheriff after the death of Jerry Combs, who narrowly beat O'Donnell in the 2010 Democratic primary. O'Donnell then launched an unsuccessful write-in candidacy. O'Donnell edged long-time sheriff Cecil "Dude" Cochran in 2006.

Jailer

First-term incumbent Doug Thomas, a Democrat, faces two primary opponents.

EKU Correctional Safety professor and former Federal Bureau of Prisons National Safety Administrator Steve Tussey and Andre Patterson, a former sheriff's deputy who sought the jailer's job in 2010, are challenging Thomas.

The winning Democrat will face off against Steven Gregg, a major with the Richmond Police Department who sought election as jailer in 2010, or Cecil Shuman who filed Tuesday.

Judge/Executive

Twenty-year incumbent Democrat Kent Clark is seeking another term in office, but faces opposition from six rivals, including one in his party's primary, Realtor Wayne Renfro.

Planning and Building Codes Administrator Duane Curry, a Republican, announced he would be challenging Clark in the fall of 2013, as did Republican builder and developer Reagan Taylor, who has never held public office.

Other Republicans in the race are first-term magistrate Greg King and Magistrate Billy Ray Hughes, who heads the county's Republican Party, and Jonathan Thompson, a Madison County Schools mechanic.

County Clerk

Four-year Republican incumbent Kenny Barger will run against one of two Democratic challengers in November. Joey Fritz, a former deputy clerk, and Steve Smith, who was property valuation administrator for 10 years and a sheriff's deputy before, are in the Democratic primary.

24 in magisterial races

District 1

Incumbent Democrat Larry Combs, who has served 32 years on the fiscal court representing southern Madison County, including Berea, will face three Democrats in the primary. Ronnie Terrill, a retired IBM/Lexmark employee who has served four years on Berea's city council, Bobby Joe McMahan, retired owner of McMahan Chevron in Berea and Brad Hylton want their party's nomination. McMahan and Hylton are in their first bid for office.

The Democratic nominee will face Republican Brian Combs, a maintenance tech at Novelis, in November. Brian Combs is the nephew of Larry Combs.

District 2

Central Bank vice president Scott Johnson and insurance agency owner Darryel Weaver, both Democrats, are vying for the chance to challenge 12-year Republican incumbent Roger Barger. Barger sold his Pro Muffler Shop in Richmond to devote more time to his magisterial duties, he said. Barger has no primary opposition.

District 3

With Hughes challenging Clark for the judge/executive seat, eight candidates, five Democrats and three Republicans, are vying for his old seat representing District 3.

Candidates in the Democratic primary are John C. Tudor, a retired U.S. Postal Service employee and member of the Madison Utilities board, who is making his second attempt to gain the now open seat, as is Steve Strong, a Richmond Fire Department retiree. First-time candidates Michael Agee, water distribution operator at Kirksville Water Association; Pat Banks, an artist, conservationist and member of the Kentucky River Authority; and Garnett Davis, a retired employee of IBM/Lexmark and Toyota South, are also in the Democratic primary.

David Hall, a plumbing industry quote manager and full-time Eastern Kentucky University student, who ran unsuccessfully as a 2010 write-in candidate and first-time candidate; and Keith Webb, owner of Webb Recycling in Waco, are seeking the Republican nomination, as is Mike Chaney, who filed shortly before the 4 p.m. deadline. He is a Kroger retiree and co-owner of The Country Place Gallery and Antiques.

District 4

Eight candidates, five Democrats and three Republicans, hope to fill the seat left empty by King.

Three Democrats, 2010 nominee Robert John Harris, a retired school principal; farmer and auctioneer Mike Isaacs and Steve Vescio were in the race four years ago. Democrat Bradley "Bud" Montgomery, who unsuccessfully sought election to the legislature two years ago, Mary Renfro, a Realtor in her first term on the Madison School Board, also seek the nomination.

Richmond surgeon Delbert Fritz, in his first political race, Tom Botkin, who ran for the county clerk's office eight years ago, and Jeffery Renner are seeking the Republican nomination.

Constable

Thirty-nine year incumbent J.B. Marcum runs unopposed in District 1.

District 2 incumbent Steven Kelly will be challenged in the primary by Christopher Waddle.

Bruce Thomas, the Democratic incumbent, is unopposed in District 3.

With no incumbent in the District 4 race, the constable seat will go to one of three hopefuls. Democrat Josh Thomas, who will run in November against one of two Republicans, Brian Hyatt or Tim Keebortz. All three are running for office for the first time.

PVA

Democrat Billy Ackerman seeks re-election unopposed.

Coroner

Jimmy Cornelison, a Democrat, is running unopposed after 15 years as county coroner.

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