Wednesday Marks Start of Record Election Season

So you're not considering running for a public office next year? You might be one of the few people in Clark County who isn't.

Wednesday is the first day for candidates to file to run for office in 2006. By all indications, next year's election may resemble a stampede more than the customary horse race in Clark County.

And if political campaigns can be compared to battles, an unprecedented all-out assault for votes soon could be taking shape throughout the county.

Dozens of entrenched office holders and political newcomers in Clark County have been talking with friends, family and political power brokers in behind-the-scenes political warrooms, trying to decide whether they have enough backing to run for one of a record 43 political offices that will be up for grabs in Clark County next year.

Never has Clark County had the potential for more contested races than next year, when every elected public office in Clark County will be on the ballot. Every elected city and county official, every magistrate and constable, every judge plus Clark County's state senator and representative and U.S. Congressman could face re-election challenges. Forty-three public offices in a single election will be a record in Clark County. Les Fugate, a spokesman for Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, calls the 2006 election a “perfect storm,” where all local government and judicial races are all up at the same time, something that happens once every 24 years.

Fugate says that statewide, voters will decide more than 4,000 races, and acknowledges that many voting precincts can expect longer than usual lines due to the large number of races on the ballot. However, Fugate says each precinct will have an additional voting machine, required by the federal government for persons with disabilities, which can also be used by voters who are not disabled.

In Clark County, nearly all current officeholders are expected to seek another term next year. Only three elected officials have stated they will not run for re-election in 2006.

Sheriff Ray Caudill, a Republican who was elected in 2002, has announced he will not run for a second term in office. Magistrate Jerry Rogers, a Democrat who has represented the Third District since 1993, has said he will not run for re-election next year due to health reasons. On Monday, Democratic Sixth District Magistrate Billy Thomas announced he will not run for another term to the seat he has held since 1993.

In county races, Judge/Executive John Myers, County Clerk Anita Jones, Jailer Bobby Stone, Property Valuation Administrator Karen Bushart, Coroner David Jacobs, County Attorney Gardner Wagers and County Surveyor Sammy Williams all have said they will seek another term.

Magistrates Rick Smith, Joe McCord, Will Richardson and John Henry Ramsey also have announced plans to run for re-election. Magistrate Pam Blackburn told The Sun she has not decided whether she will run for another term next year, or whether she plans to run against Myers for judge/executive as she did in a special election in 2004.

In city races, Mayor Dodd Dixon and Commissioner Shannon Cox indicated they probably will run for re-election next year. Commissioner Kenny Book said he will seek another term, and Commissioner JoEllen Reed said she will run for office but hasn't decided which office she will seek. Commissioner Rick Beach said he hasn't decided.

In judicial races, Circuit Judge Julia Hylton Adams and District Court Judges William Clouse and Brandy Oliver Brown each told The Sun they will seek another term. Chief Circuit Judge William T. Jennings said he has not made a decision, but told The Sun that he has picked up his filing papers, an indication that Jennings, who is one of the longest-serving circuit court judges in Kentucky may be laying the groundwork for yet another term. Clark County Circuit Court Clerk David Hunt announced he will file for re-election as soon as the County Clerk's Office opens Wednesday.

Commonwealth Attorney David Smith, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the remainder of his brother Tom Smith's term, says he will run for a full-term next year. Family Court Judges Jeffrey Walson and Jean C. Logue could not be reached for comment.
Clark County Board of Education seats currently held by Rick Perry, First District, and Judy Hicks, Fourth District, will be on the general election ballot in November. Both told The Sun they have not decided whether they will seek another term. Unlike other candidates, who must file for office by Jan. 31, candidates for school board have until next August to file.

State Rep. Don Pasley, 73rd District, has said he will run for another term next year, his third. State Sen. R.J. Palmer, 28th District, said he too will seek another term. Clark County voters will also cast ballots next year for U.S. representative, Kentucky Supreme Court justice and two Kentucky Court of Appeals judges.
Clark County Republican Party Chairman Bob Mayfield said he expects at least 10 Republicans to run for county offices next year, and believes that Republicans will compete in most, if not all, of the magistrate districts, where all but one magistrate are Democrats.

-Reporter Mike Wynn contributed to this article.