Senate qualifying papers available

The race for the state Senate begins today as qualifying petitions for the position held by Jerry Cooper for 23 years become available throughout the seven-county 14th District.

‘What a candidate will need to do is qualify within his or her own county and then file certified duplicates with the other counties in the district prior to the April 3 filing deadline at noon,’ said election administrator Donna Yates, noting petitions may be picked up at the election office on Locust Street today. ‘We also have other races with petitions available today like state Representative for both the 47th and 43rd districts, four unfilled constable spots and three school board seats in the 2nd, 4th and 6th districts.’

As for the state Senate race, local attorney Steve Roller is the incumbent as he was appointed to fill Cooper’s office as interim senator until the election in November. Roller announced he will seek election to the office after he edged Bill Zechman for the appointment made by the Warren County Commission.

Along with state Senate, the 47th District Representative seat held by Republican Judd Matheny and the 43rd District Representative seat held by Democrat Charles Curtiss will also be up for election. A candidate must be at least 30 years of age to become state senator and 25 years of age of become state representative.

The constable posts up for election this year include those in the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th districts. The school board positions include those held by Edd Cantrell in the 2nd, Bob Young in the 4th and John Turner in the 6th.