Watts files as candidate seeking another term as county judge executive
Judge Executive Dean Watts filed his paperwork Wednesday morning to seek re-election to the office he has held since 1994. So far, he will face fellow Democrat Kenny Fogle in the May primary. The filing deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018.
NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 — Judge Executive Dean Watts will seek another term as the county’s top elected official in the 2018 election cycle.
Watts filed his paperwork Wednesday morning in the office of Nelson County Clerk Elaine Filiatreau as a Democratic candidate for judge executive. He has served as judge executive since 1994.
In response to earlier questions about his intentions, Watts said as long as his health is good and he continues to enjoy serving as judge, he would most likely seek another four-year-term.
Watts will face fellow Democrat Kenny Fogle in the May primary to determine who will be the Democratic candidate going to the November election. So far, no Republican or independent candidates have filed for judge executive.
The last two primary elections for judge executive have been three-way races between Democrat Watts, Republican Peter Trzop, and independent candidate Tim Hutchins.
The last day to file as a candidate for a race in the May primary is 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018.
RECAP OF OTHER CANDIDATES, OFFICES.
SHERIFF. Kenny Downs of Bardstown is the third candidate to file as a Democratic candidate for Nelson County Sheriff. Downs filed his paperwork Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, at the Nelson County Clerk’s Office.
Downs will face fellow Democrats, Kaelin Matthews and Ramon Pineiroa in the May primary. Both men are both currently employed by the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office.
NELSON COUNTY JAILER. Three Democratic candidates have filed so far for the office of Nelson County Jailer.
John “Buck” Snellen filed as a Democratic candidate for Nelson County Jailer. He will face incumbent jailer Dorcas Figg and challenger Michael P. Johnson in the May 22, 2018 Democratic primary.
ADDITIONAL FILINGS. All county offices, mayoral and city offices will be on the November 2018 ballot, but only those offices required to hold a primary have a January filing deadline.
FISCAL COURT. The incumbent 1st District Magistrate, Keith Metcalfe, was the first member of Nelson Fiscal Court to file for re-election. Metcalfe — a registered Democrat — filed his paperwork Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the office of Nelson County Clerk Elaine Filiatreau.
Incumbent 4th District Magistrate Jeff Lear filed as a Republican candidate for magistrate Wednesday, Nov. 22nd. Lear is the only Republican on Nelson Fiscal Court and is seeking his third four-year term.
Sam Hutchins, the incumbent magistrate representing the county’s 2nd District, filed for re-election Thursday, Nov. 9. Hutchins is a registered Democrat.
Bernard Ice, the incumbent 3rd District magistrate, filed Nov. 13 to run for another four-year term on Nelson Fiscal Court. Ice is a registered Democrat.
NELSON COUNTY CLERK. Gail Brown of Bardstown filed Nov. 14 as a Democratic candidate seeking the office of Nelson County Clerk. As of today’s date, no other candidate as filed for this office.
NELSON COUNTY ATTORNEY. Incumbent County Attorney Matthew Hite filed Monday, Nov. 20 as a Democratic candidate for county attorney.
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