Qualifying underway for 2018 election
Published 9:45 am Wednesday, November 8, 2017
- Circuit Clerk Brandi Duvall fills out paperwork to run for reelection with Warren County Clerk Lynette Yates, center, to give to Deputy Clerk Bobbie Russell, right, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, at the Warren County Clerk’s Office. (Austin Anthony/photo@bgdailynews.com)
It was a short walk for Warren County Sheriff Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines as he filed the paperwork Wednesday to run for re-election to the office he has held since 1977, with the exception of 1981-85, when Wayne Constant held the office.
Gaines walked down the hall from his office at the Warren County Courthouse at 8 a.m. Wednesday to the adjacent Warren County Clerk’s Office to pay his $50 entry fee and file the paperwork.
He was soon joined by a slew of familiar political faces as qualifying began for the 2018 election. Voters will have a chance next year to cast ballots for candidates for all county offices, the Bowling Green City Commission, all 100 state House of Representatives seats, even-numbered state Senate districts and all 435 U.S. House seats.
Gaines noted that he is the longest-serving sheriff in the state and said he was “looking forward” to another campaign.
Warren County Coroner Kevin Kirby was the second to file for re-election. He has been in office as long as Gaines.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a really good staff,” Kirby said.
In quick succession, Warren County Jailer Stephen Harmon, 1st District Magistrate Doug Gorman, 2nd District Magistrate Tom Lawrence, Warren County Clerk Lynette Yates and Warren Circuit Court Clerk Brandi Duvall filed for re-election.
Another longtime elected official, Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon, joined the candidates gathered at the clerk’s office and filed his paperwork at 8:30 a.m.
Buchanon, who was first elected in 1993, said he was looking forward to another campaign.
“The campaign is one of the fun parts of the election process,” he said. “You get to meet people right in their homes and events throughout the county who are interested in giving you feedback.”
Qualifying continues through Jan. 30.
The last day to register to vote in the May primaries is April 23 and the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 6 general election is Oct. 9.
This story has been updated since its initial publication to reflect that Wayne Constant served as Warren County sheriff from 1981 to 1985.
