Filing for the June primaries opened on Monday and Republican primary races have already developed in two local House races, one county board commissioner district and for county sheriff.
All nine members of the Franklin County Board are up to reelection this year, as are the offices of county sheriff, county clerk and county treasurer. All state legislative offices and congressional seats are also up to election.
Filing will close at the end of business on Monday, March 14.
County board
Three members are ultimately elected from each of the three county board districts. The June 28 primaries will whittle the candidates down to three finalists from each party, who will then compete in the November general election. The winning commissioners will all start out with four-year terms, but they will draw lots after the election to see which three will get two-year terms instead -- so in subsequent elections the board members' terms will be staggered, and not everyone will be up for election at the same time.
District 1:
Four Republicans and one Democrat have filed so far to run for one of three seats here. The Republicans are incumbent board members Neil Hargis of Christopher and Mark Kash of Sesser. Challengers are Curtis Overton of Coello and Angela Evans of Sesser. The lone Democrat running so far is challenger Raymond Scott of Sesser. The third incumbent in District 1 is Randall Crocker of Sesser, who is expected to file for reelection.
District 2:
Only one candidate has filed so far from District 2, incumbent commissioner Brad Wilson of Benton. The other seats being elected from District 2 currently belong to Ray Minor of Benton, who was elected as a Democrat, but has said he will run for reelection as a Republican; and Larry Miller, a Republican from Benton. Miller's intentions are unknown. No Democrat has filed as of Tuesday.
District 3:
Two Republican incumbents from District 3 have filed for reelection here: Kevin Weston and John R. Gossett, both of West Frankfort. The third incumbent member is Jack Warren, also of West Frankfort, who has not yet filed for reelection. No Democrats have filed as of Tuesday.
County sheriff
With Sheriff Dave Bartoni not running for another term, two Republicans have so far filed to run: Kyle Bacon of Benton and the current chief deputy in the sheriff's office; and Ben Burkhamer of Ziegler, the current Ziegler police chief. No Democrats have filed as of Tuesday.
County treasurer
No one has filed for run for treasurer. The current county treasurer is Steve Vercellino, a Republican who is generally expected to run for reelection.
County clerk & recorder
With Clerk Greg Woolard not running for another term, so far one candidate has stepped up to file petitions. Kevin Wilson of West Frankfort is a Republican.
Congress
12th District
Mike Bost, Murphysboro (R)*
15th District
Mary Miller, Oakland (R)*
State legislature
State Senate District 58
Terri Bryant, Murphysboro (R)*
State Senate District 59
Dale Fowler, Murphysboro (R)*
House District 115
No filings on Monday.
House District 116
Gary Carter, Fairfield (R)
Dave Severin, Benton (R)*
House District 117
Patrick Windhorst, Metropolis (R)*
House District 118*
Paul Jacobs, Pomona (R)*
Aaron Robert Smith, Marion (R)
* indicates incumbent members of Congress or the Illinois legislature.
