Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Area Races Contested; Filing Period Ends

As the filing deadline nears, more and more candidates are tossing their hats into the political arena in Clark County.

However, several races are still uncontested at this time. The race for justice of the peace position 10, currently held by Gurdon's Larry Thomerson, who had not filed for reelection as of Monday afternoon, has two candidates in Al Brown and Kenny Spruill.

Another Gurdon race will be for the position of City Recorder/Treasurer. The slot is currently held by Tambra Smith, who hopes to be returned to the post. Her opponent, hoping to take over, is Linda Gayle Hogue.

There are three candidates in the hunt for the post of Clark County Treasurer, all three are from Arkadelphia. Edgar Ball, Judy Beth Hutcherson and Glenda Watson are all seeking the position.

In other races, Tommy Potter has officially filed as a candidate for the position of City Marshal in Gurdon. He challenges incumbent David Childres, who filed Monday.

Looking at the justice of the peace races, Jon Kelly is running for position 1 on the quorum court. Juanita "Dot" Curry hopes for another term from position 2. R.H. "Dick" Batson is seeking reelection for district 3's post. Bill Moorman is looking for another term from district 5. He is being opposed by Rudy Preston for the position. Bill Conine hopes to be reelected from district 6. Conine has a Republican challenger in M.G. Spanial. John "J.B." Howard is running for the district 7 seat. The race in district 8 has two candidates as Orville Buck is taking on incumbent Bill Kirksey. Mike Cox is vying to be the representative from district 11.

To date, incumbent Grady Runyan is the lone candidate for Clark County Judge.

Scott Wyatt is running for the slot as Clark County Coroner.

Gurdon police officer Frank Plasek is running for the spot as constable for the Missouri Township.

Sherman Whittle is hoping to be the constable for the Caddo area.

Billy C. Williams is running for reelection as Clark County's Circuit Clerk.

The race for Clark County Assessor has two candidates. Helen Johnson and Wanda H. Knight are hoping to be the new assessor.

Sheriff Troy Tucker is the lone candidate, so far, for Clark County Sheriff.

Lynda Franklin is unopposed in her bid for reelection as County and Probate Clerk of the county.

Noon Tuesday was the deadline for filing as a Democrat or Republican for the May 21 primary election.

However, those wishing to file as independent candidates have until May 1 to get their petitions signed and returned to the County Clerk.

Independent candidates must have the signatures of 3 percent of registered voters who voted in the last gubernatorial election from their particular districts.