Ballot vacancies remain as filing deadline approaches

Friday, January 31, 2020

With the filing deadline to appear in the May 5 primary election a week away, ballot vacancies remained as of Friday afternoon.

No candidates have filed for county-wide office since Monday, Voter Registration Clerk Stacia Hathaway told the Banner Graphic.

The deadline to file to appear on the primary ballot is noon on Friday, Feb. 7.

Candidate packets are available at the Voter Registration Office on the second floor of the Putnam County Courthouse.

For more information, contact Hathaway at 655-1538.

The most notable of the vacancies are in the race for Putnam County Council at-large, in which just two candidates — one Republican, one Democrat — are seeking one of their party’s three nominations for the three spots.

Incumbent Larry Parker is the lone Republican candidate, while Benny Whitlock is the only Democrat seeking one of the seats.

The remaining two incumbents, Republicans Phil Gick and Gene Beck, have yet to file.

Things have quieted in the race for the GOP nomination for District 3 county commissioners, where an opening flurry found four men filing to represent the Republicans in November.

Challengers Tom Burnett, Shawn McCammack Sr. and Greg Williams are all looking to knock off incumbent Don Walton.

The other contested county race on the ballot at this point is for county auditor, which features former Auditor Kristina (Warren) Alexander against one-time deputy auditor Tina Sillery.

Current Auditor Lorie Hallett has reached her limit of two consecutive terms.

Other Republicans currently uncontested in their bid for the party nomination are Superior Court Judge Denny Bridges, County Treasurer Kathy Minnick and District 1 Commissioner David Berry.

Besides Whitlock, the only other Democrat currently filed for a county-level position is retired dentist Perry Wainman, who is running for coroner.

Like Hallett, current Coroner Dave Brown has reached his two-term limit.

Besides these positions, citizens may also file to become candidates for the Republican state convention, Democrat state convention or Republican Precinct Committeemen.

One change in state-level offices of local interest is that District 24 State Sen. John Crane (R-Avon) has filed to seek another term. On the Democratic side, Stan Albaugh (D-Avon) is also seeking the position.

For residents of the southern part of the county, Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville), currently the president pro tem of the Senate, is the only current candidate for his District 37 seat.

State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) is also the only candidate in District 44.

The race for U.S. Congress in the Fourth District also remains unchanged. Congressman Jim Baird of Greencastle is the only Republican candidate, while Democrats seeking the office include Joe Mackey, Howard Pollchik and Veronikka Ziol.

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