A series of candidate filings for city and school elections came in prior to Thursday’s deadline, but only a handful will result in contested races in November. Some seats, in fact, have no candidates.
County Clerk Sherrie Riebel noted the dearth of candidates means there is no need for a primary election in August prior to the Nov. 7 general election.
City and school elections were moved to the fall this year at the behest of a new state law, aimed at increasing voter turnout.
Iola-USD 257 and Humboldt-USD 258 will have contested races.
Jennifer Coltrane and Tracy R. Lee, both of LaHarpe, filed for Position 6 on the USD 257 school board. They are seeking to replace Darrel Catron, who did not file for re-election.
Meanwhile, five candidates filed to fill three at-large seats on the USD 258 school board. The candidates are Nathan Ellison, Helen Harrington, Kevin Heisler, Kristal Julich and Jamie Mueller.
Savonburg residents also will get to choose between mayoral candidates Vern Cuppet Jr. and Aaron Wilson.
IN IOLA, City Councilman Jon Wells remained the only candidate for mayor. Mayor Joel Wicoff did not file for re-election.
Councilwoman Nancy Ford filed for re-election to represent Ward 1, while Ronald Ballard filed to fill Beverly Franklin’s seat in Ward 2 and former Councilman Gene Myrick filed to fill the outgoing Donald Becker’s seat in Ward 3. No candidate — including incumbent Sandy Zornes — filed to fill Zornes’ seat in Ward 4.
For USD 257, Nancy Toland filed for Position 4. If elected, she will replace Tony Leavitt, who opted not to run for re-election. No candidate filed for Position 5, held currently by Buck Quincy.
IN HUMBOLDT, Nobby Davis filed for re-election. He is unopposed.
For the Humboldt City Council, Don Becannon was the only candidate for Ward 1, Position 4; Cindy Holinsworth the only candidate for Ward 2, Position 3; and Ashley Dooley the only candidate for Ward 2, Position 4. Mark Slater, representing Ward 1, Position 3, did not file for re-election, nor did anybody file to replace him.
ALLEN Community College Trustees Neal Barclay and Jenny Spillman both filed for re-election. Barbara Chalker Anderson also filed for a seat. Three seats are open this year.
LAHARPE has three candidates to fill three vacancies on the city council: incumbents Ronald Knavel Sr. and Sharlyn Thompson, as well as former councilwoman and mayor Cynthia Carr.
MORAN Mayor Phillip Merkel filed for re-election, as did Councilman Chad Lawson. Both are unopposed.
Two candidates filed for three at-large seats on the USD 256 school board, Steve Becker and Bill Bigelow.
