Louth to run for sheriff (06/21/06)

A rural Portland man has decided to seek the position of Jay County Sheriff in the November election, running as an Independent.

Brian Louth, 646 East 200 North, submitted a petition to Jay County Clerk Jane Ann Runyon this week, asking that his name be added to the ballot. Although the petition fell just short of the required number of signatures of registered voters, Louth is expected to gain those signatures and qualify to be on the ballot Nov. 7.

Louth will be running against Democrat candidate Mark Barnett, a Portland police officer, and Republican Larry “Ray” Newton, a deputy with the Jay County Sheriff’s department. Barnett and Newton won the nomination of their respective parties in the May primary.

Runyon said Tuesday Louth had presented a petition containing 110 names. By state law, only 108 names are needed, but of the 110 names submitted by Louth, five were not registered voters, causing them to be disqualified, Runyon said.

Louth has until June 30 to provide the signatures of three registered voters.

The June 30 deadline also applies for candidates slated by Republican and Democrat party appointments to fill currently vacant spots on the fall ballot, Runyon said.

In other election news, filing for candidates for the Jay School Board of Trustees will begin July 26 and continue through Aug. 25 at noon.

School board seats up for election this year are:

•District 1, city of Portland, (currently held by Bryan Alexander).

•District 2, city of Dunkirk (currently held by Mike Shannon).

•District 3, representing the townships of Penn, Jefferson, and Greene (currently held by Jay Halstead).

•District 5, the townships of Jackson, Bearcreek and Wayne outside the city of Portland (currently held by Doug Inman).

Potential candidates may file for candidacy by submitting the proper petition and information to Runyon. Petitions may be obtained in her office.[[In-content Ad]]