Published: June 03, 2008 10:43 am      

Election filings begin

eight individuals submit candidacy applications monday

The July 29 primary election is fast approaching and the candidate filing period is under way.

The filing period began Monday and ends at 5 p.m. Wednesday. So far, eight people have filed for various Stephens County positions.

Daisy Lawler, D-Corum, filed for the state House of Representatives District 50. That district covers Duncan, Meridian, Corum, Empire, Temple, Hulen, Letitia and Central High.

Other filings were for the positions of Stephens County sheriff and District 2 county commissioner. Both of the incumbents in those positions have chosen not to run for re-election, increasing the number of people seeking the positions.

Peggy Winton, county election board secretary, said, “Anytime an incumbent leaves, you’re going to have more people running. It’s hard to beat an incumbent if they’re doing good.”

As of Monday, the race with the most people filed is for the county commissioner position for District 2, which oversees Duncan. The candidates are Jody P. Anderson, D-Duncan, Todd Churchman, D-Comanche, and Wayne Watts, R-Duncan.

Frank Kelly, who holds that seat, has chosen to retire.

So far, Anderson and Churchman will be on the primary ballot in July.

The winner of the race will go up against a Republican candidate in the Nov. 4 general election.

The Stephens County sheriff’s race is also attracting attention. Sheriff Jimmie Bruner has chosen not to seek re-election. The three people who filed are Jimmy D. Williams, D-Duncan, Bob Hill, D-Marlow, and Wayne McKinney, R-Marlow.

Williams and Hill will face each other in the July primary. And, just like the county commissioners’ race, the winner will face the Republican candidate.

Linda Powers, assistant election board secretary, said that with these two incumbents leaving, more people have chosen to file.

“That’s why the races are there,” Powers said.

She said she wouldn’t be surprised if more people file for the sheriff’s race.

District Court Clerk Connie Elam, D-Comanche, and County Clerk Jo Johnson, D-Duncan, have both filed for re-election for their positions. As of Monday, both were unopposed.

While the filing period ends Wednesday evening, the contest period will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the Stephens County Election Board Office.

Winton said she didn’t expect any of the candidates to contest another’s candidacy.

“All of our candidates are qualified,” she said.