Candidates announce bids for local offices

With a January
filing deadline,
candidates start
to emerge

By Misti Drew
Tribune-Courier News Editor
mdrew@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – Several new names will be on local ballots in 2010 as candidates for area offices begin to emerge.

In the race for the 2nd District Senatorial seat is Democratic challenger Rex Smith, a former State Representative and Paducah businessman. He will be taking on incumbent Bob Leeper, an independent who has held the office since 1991.

In the state representative race, Democratic incumbent Will Coursey will be facing felllow Marshall County native Monti Collins, running on the Republican ticket.

Coursey was elected in 2007 through a special election after former state representative J.R. Gray vacated the seat.

Collins filed papers last Wednesday announcing his intention to run and says he is going to focus on utilizing the skills and successes he obtained through local banking and civic involvement to represent the 6th District. Collins served as the County’s Chamber of Commerce President in 2009.

Sheriff Kevin Byars will also have an opponent in this year’s race, former canine officer Troy Defew is throwing his hat into the ring for the position.

Defew announced his intentions at Mike Miller Park last Friday afternoon to a crowd of supporters.

He said he will be running on the Democratic ticket and hopes to make the Sheriff’s Department more community-oriented.

“I want deputies to establish a good working relationship and trust with our residents,” Defew said. “I’m looking forward to meeting even more residents of Marshall County and hearing their concerns and questions.”

Several have announced their intention to run for the office of county clerk, vacated by Dan Duke in 2008, as well.

Currently, they include Tim York, Troy English and Matt Barlow. All will be running on the Democratic ticket.

Of the three, only Barlow had officially filed paperwork as of press time.

Several others are said to be considering the possibility of putting their name on the ballot, as well.