2010 Elections Update….This Year’s Local Elections Taking Shape

Candidate Filing is still open, so final slate may change scene

By Sid Riley

Candidate filing for the fall 2010 elections is taking place at this time. Thus far, enough position seekers have filed their intent to seek election to enable us to see that for some open positions, the races may be interesting. Candidate petition deadlines for the 2010 elections are:

Noon, March 29 for Federal, Judicial,

State Attorney, and Public Defender Positions

Qualifying date, Noon, April 30

Noon, May 17 for Statewide,

Multi-county, County, and District Positions

Qualifying date, Noon, June 18

Thus far, the Announced Candidates for local positions are:

County Commission District Two Edward Crutchfield (incumbent) Democrat and Joel Pate, Republican

County Commission District Four Jeremy Branch (incumbent) Democrat, William Nelson, Democrat, Michael Shores, Republican, and Wesley Kutchey, Democrat.

School Board, District One (Nonpartisan Office) Terry Nichols (incumbent)

School Board, District Four (Nonpartisan Office) Chris Johnson

State Positions on Ballot-

● Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner, Florida Senate, Dist. 6, Florida House, Dist 5 & Dist 7

● 14th Judicial Circuit - Judge Groups 1,2,5, & 8

Federal Positions on Ballot-

● U.S. Senate ● U.S. House Dist. 2

Election Dates: Primary Elections August 24, Early Voting August 9-21

General Elections, November 2,
Early Voting October 18-30

Voter Registration Closing Dates Primary Election July 26, General Election October 4

As of this date, there are a total of 27,919 registered voters in Jackson County, 66% of them are Democrats, 26% are Republicans, and 8% are Independents. The fall of 2010 should be interesting to observe.