Election filing begins Jan. 20

Although a non-presidential election year, 2010 will be a big one as more than 40 positions from the U.S. Congress to township offices will be on the ballot.

The first day for major party candidates to file for the election is Jan. 20. The deadline for primary filings is Feb. 19, with the primary election scheduled for May 4.

On the local level, several countywide offices - including Commissioner of the Middle District, a seat held for five terms by Milo Miller Jr.

Other county offices up for election, with incumbent, include auditor (Nancy Culy-R), recorder (Betty St. Myers-R), sheriff (Ray Newton-R), assessor (Terry LeMaster-R), and district county council members Gerald Kirby (D-1st Dist.), Mike Leonhard (R-2nd Dist.), Fred Bailey (D-3rd Dist.) and George Meehan (R-4th Dist.)

The terms of U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D) and U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R-Columbus, 6th Dist.) are up, while on the state level the positions of secretary of state, treasurer and auditor - all currently held by Republicans - will be challenged. Democrat and Republican delegates to the state convention will also be elected.

At the state level, State Sen. Allen Paul (R-Richmond) and State Rep. Bill Davis (R-Portland) are facing expiring terms.

Other positions that will be on the ballot this year include four Jay County School Board seats currently held by Bryan Alexander, Michael Shannon, Jay Halstead and Larry Paxson.

The school board seats will be chosen as part of the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Other seats being chosen in this election cycle include all township trustees; all township board seats, Redkey Town Council seats held by Doug Stanley and Charles Noble; and the Pennville Town Board north district seat held by Pat Frazee.[[In-content Ad]]