Candidates seeking election in the May Primary are invited to submit a brief profile summary about themselves, and their campaign views. The profiles, along with a photograph of the candidate, will be published once in the Clinton County News, at no charge.

Ricky L. Craig

Candidate for Magistrate – District 4

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself to the community.

I am Ricky L. Craig currently the magistrate of District four. My parents are the late Mr. & Mrs. J.R Craig.

I married Deanie Copeland of Byrdstown, Tennessee, and we have one daughter, Brandy, who just recently married Josh Wooldridge of Russell Springs, Kentucky.

I am self-employed and own First Place Trophies.

I am honored and humbled to serve the citizens of the 4th district.

I know I am their voice and every decision I make represents them. I enjoy helping people and strive to move our county forward.

Every decision I make reflects what would be best for the entire county.

I want to thank the citizens of the Highway and Cave Springs/ Neatheary community for the chance to represent them.

I am seeking re-election and I humbly ask for your vote and support.

James Mitchell “Jim” Guffey

Candidate for Sheriff

Jim Guffey was born, February 9, 1962, and raised in Clinton County. He graduated Clinton County High School in 1980 and joined the military in 1981.

“I also have a degree in psychology and geology and I served on Air Force Two for three years,” Guffey said.

Guffey said he was also stationed at the Pentagon with his base out of Nebraska.

Guffey retired from the Army in 2004 and began his career as a police officer with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department in 2005 and stayed on as a deputy until 2012.

In 2012, he was hired by the City of Albany as a city police officer and currently holds that position.

Guffey is married to Sherry Jones Guffey and they have a son, Derek, seven years old.

“I have completed the police academy and I am up to date on all my gun service classes,” Guffey said. “I want to try and make a difference. I feel there is a good guy already in there and there is another good guy running for this position. I think I can utilize the resources available in order to make a difference.”

Kevin J. Marcum

Candidate for County Judge / Executive

Kevin Marcum was born and raised in Clinton County and is 38 years old.

Marcum graduated from Clinton County High School in 1994 and attended the Vocational School for residential wiring.

Marcum went on to work for Hendricks Creek Resort as an electrician and then went on to Tennessee Mining in Jamestown, Tennessee and now works at Keystone Foods in Clinton County.

Marcum served five years as a volunteer firefighter for the Albany Fire Department and is currently a board member of the Clinton County Board of Education.

Marcum is also a member of the Albany Lodge and is a board member of the Wilma Faye Marcum Chambers (WFMC) Cancer Foundation.

The foundation was created to honor his mother after she passed from cancer several years ago. The foundation helps those in Clinton County who suffer from cancer.

Marcum is married to Emily A. Marcum and they have two sons together, Brennan and Cory Marcum.

“The reason I’m seeking this office is because I think it’s my time,” Marcum said. “I think our county needs someone who will fight for it and go to Frankfort everyday if we have to in order to get help if we need it. I think we need new jobs and more jobs in this county and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

Marcum said with new jobs will come more tax money for the county.

“You can check my record, I’m not for raising taxes and I’ve dealt with a big budget for three years now and I’m on a team who deals with that budget everyday. I’m not a stranger to financial strains and I’m open minded about looking at different areas of saving money. I’m not for cutting jobs if we don’t have to, but I’m also not for wasteful spending. I want to serve the public and that’s what I’m here to do.”