Election filing opens (1/21/04)

Less than four hours into the filing period for local elections, the Jay County Republican Party already has two contested primary races on its hands.

At the top of the local ticket, two-term incumbent Mike Leonhard will face a primary challenge from local businessman Faron Parr.

There is also a three-way race for coroner, including a GOP primary battle between incumbent Brad L. Myers, a local mortician, and Paulette I. Wagner, a full-time emergency medical technician for Jay Emergency Medical Service.

Democrat Mark Barnett, whose term as a Jay County Councilman is set to expire at the end of this year, is running for his party’s nomination for coroner. Barnett, a Portland police officer and a former multi-term coroner, currently serves as the deputy coroner under Myers.

The period for members of major political parties to file to run in this year’s election cycle closes at noon on Friday, Feb. 20.

The primary/Jay School Board election will be held on Tuesday, May 4, while the general election will be on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Several incumbents also filed this morning, including an incumbent member of the council (Marilyn Coleman), the surveyor (Bradley A. Daniels), the county clerk (Jane Ann Runyon) and a member of the school board (Duane Starr).

Fran Milthaler, who currently serves as first deputy treasurer under Robin Alberson, is running for the GOP nomination for treasurer. Alberson is prohibited from running for a third consecutive term in office.

Local offices being chosen this year include Commissioner (North and South District), three council at-large seats, surveyor, coroner, treasurer and clerk, along with Districts 1, 4 and 6 for the Jay School Board.

On the national and state ballot will be races for president, U.S. Senator, governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, U.S. Representative (District 6) and State Representative (District 33).

Here is a summary of first-day filers for local elections:

Commissioner, North District — Faron Parr, 117 East 500 North, Bryant, Republican; Mike Leonhard (incumbent), 876 East 300 North, Portland, Republican.

County council (at large) — Marilyn Coleman (incumbent), 16 S. Union St., Redkey, Republican.

Treasurer — Frances Milthaler, 421 E. Water St., Portland, Republican.

Clerk — Jane Ann Runyon (incumbent), 1932 East 300 South, Portland, Republican.

Surveyor — Bradley A. Daniels (incumbent), 945 South Ind. 167, Dunkirk, Republican.

Coroner — Mark A. Barnett, 2338 East 200 North, Portland, Democrat; Brad L. Myers (incumbent), 211 W. High St., Portland, Republican; Paulette I. Wagner, 805 E. Walnut St., Portland, Republican.

Jay School Board, District 6 (Madison, Noble, Wabash and Pike townships) — Duane Starr (incumbent), 8274 South 600 East, Portland.[[In-content Ad]]