More candidates throw hat in ring

Feb. 24– As of Tuesday morning, 16 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 Commissioners Gary Combs and Fred McFalls, Dist. 2 County Commissioner Adam Coleman, Dist. 4 County Commissioner James Whitehorn, Dist. 5 County Commissioner Jimmy Guy Grisham, Dist. 6 County Commissioner Nickie Cagle, Dist. 8 County Commissioner Wally Hamilton, District 10 County Commissioner James Berry Jr., Circuit Court Clerk Diane Polk, County Clerk Connie Stephens, Register of Deeds Julie Adkisson and Roads Superintendent Paul Blount.

In the mayoral race and seeking to deny Davis a third four-year term, L.C. Harris has qualified for the ballot and Bill Brown has obtained a petition.

Larry Arendall is again on the ballot, challenging Stephens for county clerk.

Jim Davis is running a second campaign for sheriff. Possible candidates are TJ Barker, Michael Robinson and Charles Seaton. The current sheriff, Sammy Davidson, has picked up a petition and is expected to seek another term.

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 but have yet to be certified:

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

Dist. 3 – David Childers (I), Roger Jenkins (I), Michael L. Wilcutt

Dist. 4 – Tracey Grisham (I)

Dist. 5 – Willie T. Casey, Charles F. Haley, Kathy D. Smith (I)

Dist. 6 – Boyce A. Bain, Ted Cook, Billy G. Franks, Bryen A. Olive

Dist. 7 – Mike Jerrolds (I)

Dist. 8 – Thomas L. Smith

Dist. 9 – Emery White (I)

Dist. 10 – Mike Fowler (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 qualified for the ballot and is seeking a second two-year term.

The qualifying deadline is noon on April 1.