Taking A Stand: A fight for job of county executive
Just as promised last week, I’ve done my best to get to the bottom of the early election rumors which, like always, begin to swirl about a year before election time.
Of course, with qualifying petitions not going out until November of this year, a few are still playing their cards close to the vest, testing the political waters and waiting to see who else is coming out, before declaring officially. The caution is understandable, but in the landscape I’ve seen covering elections over my past 15 years here, a solid campaign needs to begin taking shape about a year before the race so a person can get his or her name and face out there. At the very least, a potential candidate should be doing the community center supper and ball park circuit to do some glad-handing and checking of the political pulse. Time for handing out pencils and combs comes later.
So, without further waste of column space, let’s look at the county executive’s race.
First off, incumbent County Executive Kenneth Rogers says he intends to seek a second term in office. He won his first term back in 2002 by unseating former County Executive Carol Hamblen.
Speaking of whom, don’t be expecting to see those signs in the shape of Warren County this year as Mrs. Hamblen says she will not seek the executive’s office again. During our conversation a while back, she said she has no interest in putting her hat in the ring and that she is happy with her current job.
Also putting end to rumors is county commissioner and local BBQ king Gary Prater, who says he will not be a candidate for county executive. He plans, however, to seek re-election to his county court seat.
Actually, there was just one rumored candidate who said, barring the creek rising, he will run next year, and that is local businessman John Pelham.
“I’m seriously considering running,” Pelham said, noting he intends to seek the office.
Pelham also indicated he plans to run as a Democrat, thereby challenging the Democratic incumbent in the May primary. Whether the challenge will one-on-one remains to be seen as there are a couple of other names out there which could become challengers.
However, given the history of political races, I would guess someone will enter the race either from the Republican Party or as an Independent. GOP local chairman Charlie Moss has said he would like to have someone in each local race this coming year and there will be a local Republican Primary alongside the Democratic one next May.
From what I’m hearing Pelham, whose father, Zeke Pelham was the first-ever county executive here, should be a strong candidate. But, you have to remember, if there are Republican and/or Independent challengers, the winner of the Democratic slugfest will have to, in essence, run a second race in August. This amounts to a hefty pricetag. Of course, there’s still a good possibility others will be tossing their hats in before the filing deadline this February.
In other races, County Court Clerk David Smartt has not made a decision yet as to whether he will seek another term. Should he retire, you can expect a large field for his longtime post. While not deciding yet, Smartt said he will announce his decision in the coming months to allow potential candidates time to gear up their campaigns.
As for the other races, I will be making more calls and giving you the scoop in future columns. If you’re considering running, or know someone who is, on any of the major county offices, let me know.
Duane Sherrill is a reporter for the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at news@southernstandard.com.