Thrasher files as the only Republican in county judge executive’s race — so far

Dr. Steve Harris adds his signature certifying that Don Thrasher, at right, is qualified to be a Republican candidate for Nelson County judge executive while Pete Trzop, left, waits to add his signature.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 — Don Thrasher of High Grove officially threw his hat in the ring Friday morning, seeking the office of Nelson County judge executive.

Thrasher was accompanied Friday by two local Republicans — Pete Trzop and Salt River Road resident Dr. Steve Harris — whose signatures were required for Thrasher to file as a candidate for office.

Trzop said he supports Thrasher’s bid for the county’s highest office.

“He’s a Republican and a true conservative — the only conservative in this race,” Trzop said. “I think we have to have people with good ideas, values and concepts running. He’s supportive of a lot of the things I like.”

Dr. Harris echoed Trzop’s statements of support for Thrasher.

“I think after you discover his platform you’ll see its a conservative platform, and that’s what this county need,” he said.

Harris said the way the naming of the former sections of Louisville Road was handled was unacceptable by doing it without consulting with residents. The renaming created too many new roads, and that’s created confusion.

“Its a mess out there,” Harris said of the road name situation.

Google Maps lists his driveway as North Salt River Road, he said.

“You would not believe the amount of the public who pull into my driveway and think that’s North Salt River Road,” he said. And when he tried to file official changes of address, he was told at the time his new address didn’t exist.

“Just because someone in the county judge’s office says it exists and they put up a road sign, doesn’t mean it exists in the real world,” Harris said, adding that he believess the residents of the former Louisville Road should have been consulted before the road segments were re-named.

“Its a mess and it still is a mess,” he said.

As he completed his candidacy paperwork, Thrasher said his motivation for seeking office was simple.

“I want to give a voice to the little guy for a change,” he said. “That’s my goal.”

Thrasher is the only Republican in the race for judge executive so far. The deadline to file as a candidate is 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018.

Thrasher is the third candidate to file for judge executive so far. Incumbent Judge Executive Dean Watts and Kenny Fogle have both filed as Democrats seeking their party’s nomination in the May primary.

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