Incumbent U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, has drawn a Democratic challenger as qualifying for 2018 elections continue.

Democrat Brian Pedigo of Glasgow made one previous run for office, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Republican Ron Lewis for the same 2nd District congressional seat in 2000. The Glasgow native said several factors spurred his decision to re-enter politics.

“There is so much partisan politics these days,” Pedigo said, adding that although he is a Democrat, he grew up in a politically mixed household.

“I try to see the strong points of both sides,” he said.

Pedigo said he also was spurred to run after he heard Guthrie talk in an interview about being an architect of the Republican health care plan, which Pedigo said is “atrocious and disgusting in how it treats poor people.”

Pedigo, who works at Amneal Pharmaceuticals in Glasgow, said he believes Guthrie votes as instructed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Guthrie was elected in 2008 and was most recently re-elected in 2016, when he ran unopposed.

Guthrie was unavailable for comment Friday, but spokeswoman Kaylee Carnahan said in an email that Guthrie “intends to file his re-election papers in the next few days with more than 2 million cash on hand.”

As qualifying continues, two incumbent Bowling Green city commissioners, Rick Williams and Sue Parrigin, also filed for re-election this week.

As of Friday afternoon, the following people also have filed to run in Warren County:

• Incumbent Sheriff Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines, a Democrat, and two Republican challengers, Shawn Helbig and Ron Ford.
• Incumbent 32nd District state Sen. Mike Wilson, a Republican, is currently facing challenges from Republican Darrell Traughber, the current 6th District magistrate, and Jeanie Smith, a Democrat.
• Incumbent County Attorney Amy Milliken, Democrat.
• Incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Cohron, Democrat.
• Incumbent Coroner Kevin Kirby, Democrat.
• Incumbent Jailer Stephen Harmon, Republican.
• Incumbent 1st District Magistrate Doug Gorman, Republican.
• Incumbent 2nd District Magistrate Tom Lawrence, Democrat.
• Alex Gabbard, 6th District magistrate, Republican.
• Incumbent County Clerk Lynette Yates, Republican.
• Incumbent Circuit Court Clerk Brandi Duvall, Democrat.
• Incumbent Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon, Republican.
• Incumbent Property Valuation Administrator Bob Branstetter, Democrat.
• Incumbent District 2 Constable Tony Bell, Republican.
• Incumbent 5th District Magistrate Mark Young, Democrat.
• Incumbent 4th District Magistrate Rex McWhorter, Republican.
• Daniel Alexander, District 2 constable, Democrat.
• Incumbent 22nd District state Rep. Wilson Stone, Democrat.
• Incumbent 6th District state Sen. C.B. Embry Jr., Republican.
• Incumbent 8th District/1st Judge Sam Potter, nonpartisan.
• Incumbent 8th District/2nd Judge Brent Potter, nonpartisan.

Qualifying for races with a primary 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.

Up for election next year will be all county offices, the Bowling Green City Commission, all 100 Kentucky House of Representatives seats, even-numbered state Senate districts and all 435 U.S. House seats.