White joins race for council seat (02/21/08)

The race for three at-large seats on the Jay County Council is getting a little crowded. At least on the Republican side.

Jason White, a Portland resident and paramedic for Jay Emergency Medical Service, filed Wednesday to run in the GOP primary for the at-large council position.

White joins four other Republicans - incumbents Marilyn Coleman and Judy LeMaster, along with Portland resident Dennis Mason Jr. and rural Portland resident Jerry D. Monroe - in the primary field.

Democrat Gary Theurer, who is giving up his seat as a Jay County Commissioner, is the only Democrat currently seeking the at-large council seat.

Voters in the primary will select up to three candidates for the seat, with the top three vote-getters advancing to the general election.

The primary is set for Tuesday, May 6, while the general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Major party candidates filing to run in the primary must do so by Friday at noon. If no candidate has filed by the deadline, candidates may be slated at a later date by political party caucus.

There is a dearth of contested races so far for the primary. Although currently uncontested, one of the most interesting local races is likely to be for commissioner.

Current council members Jim Zimmerman, a Republican, and Gerald Kirby, a Democrat, have filed to run for the South District seat being vacated by Theurer.[[In-content Ad]]