County court clerk candidates emerge

Five candidates representing the entire political spectrum have now expressed interest in filling the seat being vacated by retiring County Court Clerk David Smartt.

Joining Diane Elledge Starkey, Samuel H. Walker Jr., and Scott Nelson in naming political treasurers are potential candidates Robert (Brent) Brock and Michael Neal. Starkey and Brock are Democrats, Nelson and Walker are Independents, and Neal holds the distinction of being the first Republican to show interest in seeking one of the local elected offices this coming year.

While appointing a treasurer does not lock in a candidate to a run for office, it is the first step as campaign finance law requires any potential candidate who collects money or spends money in a campaign to first declare a campaign treasurer. The first finance reports will not be due until January but an account of spending and collections must be kept even before qualifying petitions are available. The petitions will first be offered Nov. 18.

“There’s already a lot of interest and we’re just under a year away from the general election next year in August,” said Election Administrator Donna Yates, noting primaries will be held in May. “I think the fact some of the longtime incumbents are retiring has sparked the interest of some potential candidates.”

Given the widespread interest, Yates said the election office will offer a candidate information forum at 6 p.m., Nov. 15 at the administrative offices on Locust Street. Candidates will be able to ask questions and will be briefed on election rules and information. The event is optional and not required to qualify to run.

Another soon-to-be-vacated office is that of Trustee where Joy Slatton will retire at the end of her term. So far, two potential candidates, Anita M. Nunley and Donna Pelham, have assigned campaign treasurers.

Presently, the only incumbent to file for a treasurer is incumbent Democratic County Executive Kenneth Rogers. He will be challenged in the Democratic primary by John M. Pelham.