Local, State, Congressional Candidates Set for May 5 Primary Election

Feb. 7 was the deadline to file as a candidate for the May 5 primary election, and several seats representing parts of Monroe County will have competitive races. UPDATE: The primary election has been moved to June 2, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

See below for a roundup. Click here for a printable one-page list. Click here for the full list of all candidates statewide.

The deadline to register to vote is Monday, April 6. Early voting begins on April 7. Click here for a voter registration form.

Check out the Monroe County Election Central website for more information.

---

CONGRESS 9th DISTRICT

Incumbent Trey Hollingsworth is unopposed in the Republican primary. Five candidates are competing in the Democratic primary: D. Liam Dorris, Brandon Hood, James O'Gabhann III, Mark Powell, and Andy Ruff.

STATE SENATE

In District 40, Democrat Mark Stoops is not seeking re-election to this seat. Three candidates have filed to run in the Democratic Party primary: Trent Feuerbach, Shelli Yoder and John Zody. No Republican candidates are running.

In District 44, Republican incumbent Eric Koch is running unopposed in the primary. No Democrats have filed for this seat.

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Incumbent Democrat Matt Pierce is unopposed in the Democratic primary for District 61, and no Republicans are running.

In District 62, Republican incumbent Jeff Ellington faces Greg Knott in the primary. In November, the winner will face Democrat Alyssa Bailey, who is unopposed in the primary.

Republican incumbent Bob Heaton (District 46) is unopposed in the primary and no Democrats are running for that seat. Republican incumbent Chris May (District 65) is unchallenged on May 5 but in November faces Democrat Paula Staley, who is unopposed in the primary.

Incumbent Peggy Mayfield (District 60) will run against Dave Rinehart in the Republican primary. Tiffany Grant is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for that seat.

MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL AT-LARGE

Five candidates will vie for three at-large seats on the Monroe County Council in the Democratic Party primary: Incumbents Trent Deckard, Geoff McKim and Cheryl Munson, as well as Karl Boehm and Dominic Thompson.

There are two candidates in the Republican Party primary for those at-large seats: James Allen and Zachary Weisheit. 

MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Incumbent Monroe County Commissioners Julie Thomas (District 2) and Penny Githens (District 3) are running unopposed this year in the Democratic primary. No Republicans are running for these seats. Randy Paul has filed as a Green Party candidate in District 2.

OTHER MONROE COUNTY POSITIONS

Incumbents for four countywide offices, all Democrats, are running unopposed: Cathy Smith, auditor; Jessica McClellan, treasurer; Joani Shields, coroner; Trohn Enright-Randolph, surveyor. No Republicans have filed to run for these seats.

JUDICIAL

Elizabeth Cure isn't seeking re-election for Monroe County Circuit Court Judge, Division 1. Two Democrats – Geoff Bradley and Alphonso Manns – are competing in the Democratic primary. Carl Lamb is also running for that seat, but is unopposed in the Republican primary.

For Division 8, incumbent Republican Judith Benchkart is unopposed, but will face the winner of the Democratic primary – Jeff Kehr or Kara Elaine Krothe – in November.

Incumbent Democrat Valeri Haughton is running unopposed for Division 2, and no Republicans have filed.