Filing deadline sets up final races for November election ballot
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018 — Tuesday’s filing deadline completes the races that will be on the November general election ballot — though city-specific races will only appear on ballots in those specific cities.
NELSON COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE. 
The last-minute, unexpected completion of Bardstown businessman Jack Hurst’s candidate petition as an independent sets up a three-way race for Nelson County Judge Executive.
As an independent candidate, Hurst will square off against longtime Democratic incumbent Dean Watts and political newcomer Republican Don Thrasher.
Hurst had filed a notice of intent to run as an independent candidate four years ago, but that filing — submitted on April 1st — turned out to be an April Fool’s joke on Hurst.
RECORD NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES. For the first time in the county’s recent history, a number of races for county offices feature candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
In the race for NELSON COUNTY CLERK, Democrat Jeanette Hall Sidebottom will square off against Republican candidate Marion Kelly Pulliam.
In the NELSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S race, Democrat Ramon Pineiroa faces off against Republican Todd Harper. Both men bring extensive law enforcement training and experience to the job. Pineiroa is current nightshift supervisor for the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, and Harper works for Louisville Metro Police Depart.
Democrat John “Buck” Snellen’s primary win over longtime incumbent NELSON COUNTY JAILER Dorcas Figg was only the first election he needed to win — he will face off against Republican candidate for Jailer James F. Beery. Beery is currently a deputy jailer at the Nelson County Jail. Snellen is a retired city police officer.
NELSON COUNTY CORONER. Longtime incumbent Democrat Rayfield “Field” Houghlin is opposed by Republican candidate Doug Alexander.
MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 3. Longtime Democratic incumbent Bernard Ice is opposed by Republican Philip H. Bishoff Jr.
MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 5. With Magistrate Jerry Hahn’s decision not to run again for office, two political newcomers are vying for the open seat on Nelson Fiscal Court. Democrat Eric W. Shelburne and Republican Trey Bradley will square off to represent the county’s 5th District.
NON-PARTISAN RACES
BARDSTOWN MAYOR. Current Mayor Dick Heaton and challenger Frank Thompson Jr, will be on the ballot for Bardstown mayor.
BARDSTOWN CITY COUNCIL. 11 people have filed as candidates for the six seats on the city council, including five incumbents — Bill Sheckles, David Dones, Roland “Coach Roe” Williams, Joe Buckman, and Kecia Copeland. The other candidates seeking a council seat include Betty Kelley Hart, Franklin Hibbs IV, Nicholas Shanks, Annette Beavers, Angel Thompson, and Detra Haycraft.
BLOOMFIELD. Only one candidate filed for Mayor of Bloomfield — Christopher M. Dudgeon.
Only three candidates filed for the six seats on the Bloomfield city council — Janet Denise Graves, Lynn Suzanne Marks and Nathan Jones.
NEW HAVEN. Two people filed for mayor of New Haven — current mayor Tessie R. Cecil, and current city commissioner Jane Masse.
Only two people filed for the four seats on the New Haven city commission — Karl Lusk and Mike Morris.
FAIRFIELD. The current mayor of Fairfield, Angela R. Ford, is the only candidate seeking that office.
Three candidates filed for the four seats on the city commission — Paul Kiener, Katy Buckman, and Katherine Simpson.
BARDSTOWN CITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION. Four people have filed for the three city school board seats that will be on the November general election ballot.
Incumbent board members James B. Roby, Jennifer H. Shrewsbury, and Kathy Reed were joined by Donna Molyneaux, who was a candidate for the office four years ago.
NELSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. The two incumbents representing District 1 and District 4 — Jeff Dickerson and Diane Breeding — were the only candidates who filed for those seats on the board of education.
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