Candidate filing for several local races in the upcoming May primary and general election in 2022 remained slow over the holidays, but county state, federal and judicial races being counted, the total number of candidates early this week–with just over a week to file, topped the 50 candidate mark.

Locally, over the past shortened filing week, there was one candidate withdrawal and two others who filed–both for magisterial races.

Dexter Hiser withdrew his name as a candidate for Clinton County Sheriff, bringing the total number of candidates for that office down to three.

Two persons filed for magistrate in separate districts and now each of the three districts have two or more candidates.

Johnny Shelley filed for District 5 Magistrate, bringing to four the number of candidates in that district which serves the Illwill and Speck precincts. Also, David Harris filed for District 6 Magistrate, making two candidates in the district that serves the South and West Albany areas. Both candidates are Repbublicans.

There are now 39 local candidates–either city or county, who have filed, and still no Democrats have filed for any local office through Monday of this week.

Prior to the Christmas holiday break, an additional half dozen candidates had filed for office through the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office for either state, federal or judicially related races.

Ironically, a few current state and district-wide incumbents have not been listed as having filed for reelection to seats according to the Secretary of State’s website as of Monday of this week, including U.S. Senator Rand Paul, U.S. Congressman James Comer, State Senator Max Wise (all Republicans) and 40th District Division 2 Judge, James Michael Lawson. Judges are elected on a non-partisan basis.

Those on record as having filed with the Secretary of State since last report include incumbent 40th Judicial Circuit Court Judge David L. Williams, non-partisan candidate from Burkesville.

Also filing last week, making a general election race for certain in the 16th District State Senate race, was Justy Engle, a Democrat. He is seeking the seat currently held by Rep. Max Wise of Campbellsville.

Although incumbent U.S. Senator Rand Paul had not been listed as having filed as of Monday, he will have plenty of opposition as both Democrats and fellow Republicans have filed for that federal seat to represent Kentucky in Washington the next six years.

The race for U.S. Senate is also definitely the most sought after seat in state or district-wide races that will be on the local primary ballot in May, as already some six candidates have declared.

Four additional candidates for U.S. Senate havefiled since last report, including Democrats Joshua Wesley Blanton, Sr. and Ruth Gao. Two Republicans also filed, those being Valerie “Dr. Val” Fredrick and Tami L. Stainfield.

As of this report, some six persons are already seeking the U.S. Senate seat, including four Democrats and two Republicans.

The NEWS will continue updating readers on local candidates next week and publish a final list of all candidates that will be on the local ballot after the January 7 filing deadline.