Several incumbents and a handful of new candidates have qualified for the upcoming county primary election.
The qualifying period ran through Monday, March 4- Friday, March 8.
The most competition is in the race for post one commissioner, in which three candidates qualified — former post two commissioner Karleen Ferguson, Jim Parmer and Doug Rink. Incumbent post one commissioner Hubert Parker is not running for re-election.
Two candidates qualified for the clerk of court race — incumbent court clerk Amy Johnson and challenger Carol Daves.
In a special election for Board of Education (BOE) Post 4, incumbent Michele Penland and challenger David Settel both qualified. Last year, Penland was appointed to fill the vacant BOE seat following the death of post 4 holder Michael Bramlett. The special election will decide a permanent successor for the remainder of Bramlett’s term.
Chad DeBoard was the only candidate who qualified for the BOE Post 2 race. Current post 2 holder Joe Pflueger did not seek re-election.
No candidates qualified for the county surveyor race, confirmed Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins. Qualifying for that position was extended to Monday and Tuesday. Guidance was being sought for what to do in case no one qualified during that time. Watkins said all county surveyor candidates must be state certified.
In other races, only the following incumbents qualified:
Sheriff - Stacy Nicholson. Probate Judge - Scott Chastain. Magistrate Judge - Kevin Johnson. Tax Commissioner - Becky Marshall. Coroner - Jerry Hensley. BOE Post 1 - Michael Parks. BOE Post 3 - Doug Pritchett.
The primary election will be on Tuesday, May 21. Early voting will run from Monday, April 29-Friday, May 17.
Look for announcement articles from county election candidates in future editions of the Times-Courier.