The battle lines have been drawn for the upcoming DeKalb countywide elections, leaving some incumbents in peril while at least a couple will get a free pass back into office.
“I think there’ll be a lot of interest in this year’s ballot,” said Director of Elections Dennis Stanley, pointing to four countywide positions that are being contested.
County Mayor will take shape sooner than later as three of the four candidates seeking the county’s top office are asking for the Democratic nomination.
Among those challenging incumbent County Mayor Tim Stribling, who is now serving his first term in the office, is the man he replaced four years ago. Former county mayor Mike Foster has tossed his hat in the ring in hopes of winning back his old office. The pair will be joined by 3rd District County Commissioner Bradley Hendrix who has chosen not to seek reelection to his post so he can run for county mayor.
The winner of the Democratic showdown on May 1 will move ahead to face independent candidate Randy Paris.
In the race for Circuit Court Clerk, three hopefuls have emerged as long-time clerk Katherine Pack has chosen not to seek office. The candidates include Mark Milam and Nicole Wright, both of whom will be seeking the Democratic nomination on May 1. The winner of that match will take on Republican nominee Susan Martin. The Republicans opted not to hold a primary but instead had a convention where they caucused to determine their candidates for the August election.
The race for sheriff will also come down to August as incumbent Patrick Ray has secured the Republican nomination and will face Michael Agee who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. If he wins, it will be Ray’s fourth term. Agee was defeated last election in the Democratic primary.
Another Republican-Democrat showdown will happen for Road Superintendent as Republican Danny L. Hale will take on Jimmy Sprague for the office.
Meanwhile, three candidates can save the cost of signs this election cycle. Trustee Sean D. Driver, County Clerk James (Jimmy) Poss and Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen have no opposition.
