More candidates eyeing Hardin County campaign

Feb. 10– As of Tuesday morning, six candidates were qualified to run in the upcoming countywide election and another 27 political hopefuls had picked up petition papers in preparation for a possible candidacy.

Seeking reelection now in Hardin County are Mayor Kevin Davis, Dist. 1 County Commissioner Gary Combs, Dist. 5 County Commissioner Jimmy Guy Grisham, Register of Deeds Julie Adkisson and Roads Superintendent Paul Blount.

Bill Brown and L.C. Harris have filed their names as possible contenders in the mayoral race.

County Clerk Connie Stephens has obtained petition papers but has not submitted any paperwork to the Hardin County Election Commission. Larry Arendall, however, is again challenging Stephens for the job and has successfully filed.

Hardin County Sheriff Sammy Davidson is widely expected to seek another term but has not picked up papers. Possible opponents are TJ Barker, Jim Davis, Michael Robinson and Charles Seaton–none of whom have turned in their petitions for certification.

Diane Polk, Hardin County’s Circuit Court clerk, has also picked up.

All 20 seats on the Hardin County Commission, with two seats in each of the 10 districts, are on the ballot. The following have obtained petitions:

Dist. 1 – Fred McFalls Jr. (incumbent)

Dist. 2 – Robert D. Adams, Adam Coleman (I), Darren R. Howard

Dist. 3 – Roger Jenkins (I)

Dist. 4 – Tracey Grisham (I), James Whitehorn Sr. (I)

Dist. 5 – Charles F. Haley

Dist. 6 – Ted Cook, Billy Gene Franks, Bryen A. Olive

Dist. 8 – Wally Hamilton (I), Thomas L. Smith

Dist. 10 – James Berry Jr. (I)

The even-numbered districts on the 10-member Hardin County Board of Education are also on the Aug. 5 ballot.

There were no certified candidates Tuesday, but incumbents Janie Milender (Dist. 2), Sue Bromley (Dist. 4), Jeanell Dennis (Dist. 6), David Baker (Dist. 8) and David Burgess (Dist. 10) had all picked up. No challengers have come forward.

In another office on the ballot, state Rep. Vance Dennis (R-Savannah) has obtained petition papers.

The qualifying deadline is noon on April 1.