By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
COLUMBUS, Kan. — Cherokee County residents have but one more week to file as candidates for county elective offices that will be subject to the Aug. 5 primary this year.
Some incumbents have decided not to file for re-election. Races are shaping up so far in both parties for sheriff and among Democrats for the 2nd District County Commission position.
Candidates who have filed for sheriff on the Democratic slate are:
n Gary Allen, of Baxter Springs, who is a Baxter Springs city councilman, former undersheriff and former Baxter Springs police chief.
n David Groves, of Columbus, a Baxter Springs police officer.
n Jerry Delmont, of Columbus, who ran unsuccessfully for sheriff four years ago.
Republicans who have filed for sheriff are:
n Kent Soucy, of rural Columbus, the current undersheriff.
n Garry Abram, of Galena, former Galena police chief and police officer, and former chief deputy with the Sheriff’s Department.
Incumbent Sheriff Steve Norman as of Monday had not filed for re-election.
Democrats who have filed for the 2nd District County Commission post are:
n Ted Wary, of Columbus.
n Jack Garner, of rural Columbus, who is a Riverton Board of Education member.
The only Republican to file for the County Commission position as of Monday is James Lucian, of rural Columbus, a former county commissioner.
Incumbent 2nd District Commissioner Charlie Napier said he won’t be filing for re-election.
Those who have filed for 3rd District county commissioner are Democrat Fred Low, of rural Baxter Springs, and Republican Richard Hilderbrand, of Riverton. Incumbent 3rd District Commissioner Rodney Edmondson also has decided not to seek re-election.
Candidates filing for the county clerk position are Democrat Crystal Gatewood, chairwoman of the Cherokee County Democratic Party, and Republican Jack Johnson, of Columbus.
No one had filed as of Monday for Cherokee County attorney, the county prosecutor position. Incumbent Democratic County Attorney John Bullard has said he intends to file for the position. Bullard was appointed to the position after Michael Goodrich resigned in the wake of a federal indictment.
Incumbent Democratic Treasurer Juanita Hodgson, of Columbus, so far has no opposition from either party. Incumbent Republican Register of Deeds Christy Grant, of Columbus, also is the only candidate to have filed as of Monday.
Filing deadline
Cherokee County residents, as all others of the state, have until noon Tuesday, June 10, to file as candidates for county, state and federal offices that will be on ballots this year.
