Things are going to get heated in Fayette County this November with several names on the ballot.
The Fayette County Board of Elections met on Thursday and certified the names that will appear on November 5 ballots throughout the county. Numerous local offices are up in the city of Washington Court House and the county, all the way from city council to fiscal officers.
Some people running for election or re-election have opposition, others will be handed the elected office by simply voting for themselves. In one village, no one has filed to run for office, and in another, there will be a change in power as one mayor’s name will not appear on the ballot.
In Washington Court House, three city council seats are up for election. Those running for the positions are:
- Jim Blair
- Jim Chrisman – Incumbent
- Jason Gilmore
- Kathie Oesterle
- Kendrea Redd-Hernandez – Incumbent
Current council member Steve Jennings’ name will not appear on the ballot. This means that Washington Court House is guaranteed to see at least one new face on city council, but possibly more.
Citizens in Jeffersonville have the opportunity to vote for Mayor and two council members. Current Mayor Bob Kinzer will run unopposed and will be re-elected by a single vote. However, council will see at least one new name at the table. Longtime village resident and steward of the community, Gordon McCarty will not be running for re-election, however, four people will vie for two seats.
- Mary Garringer
- Jacob Dawson
- Jill Grooms
- Sue Burnside – Incumbent
Bloomingburg will see a transition in power in the mayor’s office, so to speak. Current appointed mayor Donald Fleak will remain on the job since he has no opposition, but Fleak will become elected — officially — mayor by default since his name is the only one to appear for the job. Joining him in village hall will be newcomer Christian Bennett, who is running unopposed. Current council member Margaret Copley, who was appointed recently, will remain in her chair, as well, with no opposition.
In Milledgeville, Ronald Anderson will stay Mayor since he was the only person to appear on the ballot for the job. Richard Huff stays on council with no one running against him. Current councilman Shawn Grooms, whose term expires at the end of the year, will not appear on the ballot. Council will have to fill his seat by appointment after the first of the year.
Things take a turn in the small village of Octa, who has had trouble getting people to run for office in the small village of only 58 people. Current Mayor George Kingery will not be on the ballot, which means the town will have no Mayor on January 1, 2020. Two current council members, Mike Turner and Amanda Wickline remain in their seats with no opposition this year.
Over at the Washington Court House City School Board, things can get wild. At least one new person will join the board as current board member James Teeters will not appear on the ballot.
There are three seats up this year with incumbents Jennifer Lynch and Craig Copas having to fend off numerous challengers. Joining them on the ballot is former Washington Court House City Councilwoman Leah Foster, who ran unsuccessfully for the Board two years ago and will take another chance once again this November. Foster finished four years on city council in 2017. Newcomer Janelle Teeters Mead hopes to win a four-year term on the district’s board.
Speaking of school board, Miami Trace’s School Board will have no changes this year. Incumbents Charlie Andrews and Bruce Kirkpatrick run unopposed.
In townships around the county, numerous seats are up in each.
Concord Township: Keith Montgomery is removed from the Board of Trustees, with newcomer William Bower running unopposed. Bridget Sollars will stay on as clerk.
Green Township: Fiscal officer Amy Gustin will not be on the ballot; the position will become vacant because no one else filed, either. Outgoing trustee Byron Gustin joins her walking out the door; his name will not appear on the ballot, and his position will also become vacant since no one filed to run for it, either.
Jasper Township: Incumbent Richard Anders runs unopposed, and so does incumbent fiscal officer Carol Langley.
Jefferson Township: Incumbent Chris Right and fiscal officer Jomi Ward stay in their seats.
Madison Township: Incumbent David Dorn and fiscal officer Myron Miller stay put.
Paint Township: Things get interesting in this small township. Incumbent Duane Matthews will fight to keep his seat from challenger Donald Hutchens. Current fiscal officer Richard Burton could be unseated by Tonya Fleak.
Perry Township: Nothing exciting here to report. Incumbent Richard Wilson, Jr., and fiscal officer Brenda Hughes go nowhere if they vote for themselves.
Union Township: The township that surrounds Washington Court House sees a little action this November. Incumbent Tom Rambo will have to beat Paul Marshall if he wants to stay on as fiscal officer. Incumbent trustee Clyde Fyffe says put.
Wayne Township: Incumbents David Batson and fiscal officer Cindy Seat remain on the job with no opposition.