January 25, 2020 at 5:39 a.m.
Make our local primary worthwhile
Editorial
Yawn.
This is shaping up to be one boring election year, at least when it comes to local races.
Certainly there will be plenty of fireworks at the top of the ballot in May as Democrats pick a candidate to take on President Donald Trump.
And we’ll have contested races for the Republican and Democrat nominations for District 33 state representative, as well as for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Representative to take on incumbent Republican Jim Banks.
But for those interested in county government, the pickings, currently, are incredibly slim.
Election filing in Jay County opened Jan. 8. A bunch of incumbents and a former sheriff — all Republicans — filed to seek office that day.
Since then, crickets.
Not a single new candidate has filled out paperwork to run for office in the last two-plus weeks.
That is disappointing.
Let’s be clear. We’re not implying that any particular incumbent needs to be knocked out of office. Certainly many local officials are doing a good job and deserve another term in office.
But competition is a good thing. Interest in local government is a good thing. Participation is a good thing.
The challenge for the next two weeks — the filing deadline is noon Feb. 7 — is to get involved.
If you know someone you think would represent the county well, encourage them to run for office. If you’ve ever thought about running yourself, now is the time.
The following positions are up for election this year — Jay County clerk, coroner, surveyor, treasurer, commissioner (north district), commissioner (south district), superior court judge and three at-large council seats.
We’d especially note that there are currently no candidates, from either party, signed up to run for commissioner representing the south district. (Incumbent Republican Chuck Huffman announced in December that he would not be seeking re-election.)
Let’s make this election worthwhile. Go to the courthouse. Fill out the paperwork. Run for office.
Give local primary voters a reason to wake up and go to the polls. — R.C.
This is shaping up to be one boring election year, at least when it comes to local races.
Certainly there will be plenty of fireworks at the top of the ballot in May as Democrats pick a candidate to take on President Donald Trump.
And we’ll have contested races for the Republican and Democrat nominations for District 33 state representative, as well as for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Representative to take on incumbent Republican Jim Banks.
But for those interested in county government, the pickings, currently, are incredibly slim.
Election filing in Jay County opened Jan. 8. A bunch of incumbents and a former sheriff — all Republicans — filed to seek office that day.
Since then, crickets.
Not a single new candidate has filled out paperwork to run for office in the last two-plus weeks.
That is disappointing.
Let’s be clear. We’re not implying that any particular incumbent needs to be knocked out of office. Certainly many local officials are doing a good job and deserve another term in office.
But competition is a good thing. Interest in local government is a good thing. Participation is a good thing.
The challenge for the next two weeks — the filing deadline is noon Feb. 7 — is to get involved.
If you know someone you think would represent the county well, encourage them to run for office. If you’ve ever thought about running yourself, now is the time.
The following positions are up for election this year — Jay County clerk, coroner, surveyor, treasurer, commissioner (north district), commissioner (south district), superior court judge and three at-large council seats.
We’d especially note that there are currently no candidates, from either party, signed up to run for commissioner representing the south district. (Incumbent Republican Chuck Huffman announced in December that he would not be seeking re-election.)
Let’s make this election worthwhile. Go to the courthouse. Fill out the paperwork. Run for office.
Give local primary voters a reason to wake up and go to the polls. — R.C.
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