If the first three days of filing for office in the May 2014 primary election in Clinton County is any indication, there may be a crowded field on next spring’s ballot.

Filing officially opened last Wednesday, November 6 and through the end of the day on Friday, November 8, some 22 political hopefuls for local office–not to mention candidates who file with the Secretary of State’s office in Frankfort, had tossed their hats into the ring. (The County Clerk’s office was closed on Monday due to Veterans’ Day and re-opened Tuesday, with any candidates filing on that day being too late for this week’s press deadline.)

The filing saw candidates enter races for a total of eight different county and district seats, from judge/executive to constable and almost half of the early filers were incumbents, as some 10 current office holders filed their nomination papers showing their intent to seek re-election.

Of the total number of local candidates to file in the county clerk’s office last Wednesday through Friday, 19 were Republicans and three were Democrats, with all three of the latter seeking the same office.

Candidates who had filed through last Friday, November 8 include:

— Clinton County Judge/Executive: Lyle Huff, incumbent Republican, and Democrats Charlene King, former judge/executive, George Keith Byrd, former Independent candidate for the seat, and newcomer Mark A. Thrasher.

— Sheriff: Incumbent Ricky Riddle, current Albany Police Officer Jim Guffey and newcomer Travis Denney, all Republicans.

— County Clerk: Incumbent Shelia Braswell-Booher and newcomer Vic Upchurch, both Republicans.

— County Attorney: Incumbent Republican Michael A. Rains.

— Jailer: Tim Koger, Joe Stockton, Johnny Thrasher, Barry Latham and Clyde Stearns, all Republicans. Thrasher and Stearns are current deputy jailers.

— PVA: Incumbent Republican Pat Campbell.

— Magistrates: District One, Phillip Parrigin; District Two, Patty Guinn; District Three, Terry Buster; District Four, Ricky L. Craig; District Six, Mickey Riddle. All are incumbent Republicans.

— Also filing was Gary York, a GOP candidate for Constable of District Five.

Most incumbents, whether it be county-wide office holders or magisterial candidates, have now already filed to seek re-election in next May’s primary.

Several candidates will file with the Secretary of State’s office in Frankfort, including two District Judges, Circuit Judge, State Representative and State Senate. It was confirmed last week that one of the two 40th Judicial District Judges from Albany, Scarlett Latham, had already filed her papers with the Secretary of State’s office.

The Clinton County News will keep a weekly update of all candidates (through 4 p.m. Monday of each week), including those who have filed in Frankfort.

The filing deadline for candidates seeking primary nominations is January 28 at 4 p.m. local prevailing time.