By Jay Compton

jay.compton@middlesboronews.com

Friday, Jan. 5, was the filing deadline for candidates seeking to appear on Kentucky’s May primary election ballot.

Local offices up in 2024 include Bell County Circuit Court Clerk, Commonwealth’s Attorney and the city councils in both Middlesboro and Pineville. The State Representative and State Senator seats are also up this year.

Here is a list of the local candidates who have filed with the Bell County Clerk’s Office:

Circuit Court Clerk

• Incumbent Republican Colby Slusher is unopposed.

 

Commonwealth’s Attorney

• Incumbent Republican Lisa L. Fugate is being challenged by Republican Mike Taylor and Democrat Jessie Jean Moberg.

 

Middlesboro City Council

• 12 candidates have filed to run for 9 seats in this non-partisan race. Those include: Scotty Branham, Chase Allen, Judy Meredith Grandey, Glynna Brown, Kevin Barnett, Terry Poore, Tommy Joe Mike, Bill Smith, Sheila Durham, Brad Cawood, Floyd W. Branham and Dawn Risner.

 

Pineville City Council

• Six candidates have filed to run for six seats in this non-partisan race. Those include: Patricia Bingham, Michael “Mikey” Long, Scott Jeffrey, Shawn S. Fugate II, Alicia Slusher and Bobby Valentine Jr.

The filing deadline for School Board and Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors is Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Candidates for State Representative and State Senator had to file with the Secretary of State’s Office. For 87th District State Representative, incumbent Republican Adam Bowling of Middlesboro is unopposed. For 29th District State Senator, incumbent Johnnie L. Turner of Baxter is being challenged by former Knott County Judge-Executive Randy Thompson of Hindman and Shawn Andrew Gilley of Jeremiah in Letcher County. All are Republicans.