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Local filings

Monday, November 5, 2007 10:12 PM CST

County clerks throughout Southern Illinois were compiling candidate lists Monday, the last day for candidates for office in the Feb. 5 primary could file their petitions.

A list of filings as of Monday afternoon reveals several races in area counties, while other candidates are unopposed.

Not all the candidate lists were made available to the newspaper Monday, while some were provided before the filing deadline so it's possible additional candidates filed at the last minute.

In addition to the candidates for county offices, there were hundreds filing petitions in the region for posts as party precinct committeeman.

Jackson County

Three incumbent Jackson County officeholders, Circuit Clerk Cindy Svanda of Ava, Coroner Thomas W. Kupferer of Murphysboro and State's Attorney Michael L. Wepsiec of De Soto, will be running unopposed in the February primary election. The filing period ended Monday.

Other candidates filing petitions included several county board candidates. They include:

District 1: Democrat Karl E. Maple of Elkville and Republican Orval D. Rowe of Murphysboro.

District 2: Republican Mark Holt of Gorham.

District 3: Democrat Frank Puttman of Murphysboro.

District 4: Democrat Darnecea Moultrie of Carbondale.

District 5: Democrat John S. Rendleman of Carbondale; Republican Rob Williams of Murphysboro.

District 6: Republican Cynthia A. Fligel of Carbondale.

District 7: Democrat Breton K. O'Neill of Carbondale.

Williamson County

Incumbent officeholders, State's Attorney Charles "Chuck" Garnati and Coroner Mike "Junior" Burke, both Democrats and both from Carterville, were the only candidates filing for those offices. Incumbent Circuit Clerk Stuart Hall, a Herrin Democrat, faces a contest as Republican Heath Stapleton of Pittsburg filed petitions for the office.

Filing petitions of candidacy for Williamson County commissioner were incumbent Robert Barnett and Ronald M. "Ron" Ellis, both Republicans from Marion, and Democrat Gary Pearson, also from Marion.

Perry County

As the filing period for the Perry County primary ended, just one race seems likely. Incumbent Supervisor of Assessments Robin L. Edwards of Pinckneyville, a Democrat, and Republican John Batteau of Du Quoin both filed petitions as candidates.

Incumbent officeholders, State's Attorney David N. Stanton and Coroner Paul D. Searby, both Republicans, and Circuit Clerk Kimberly J. Kellerman, a Democrat, were the only ones filing as candidates for those offices.

Running for county commissioner are incumbent Jim Epplin, a Democrat; and Vernon L. Carter and Gina Cushman, both Republicans and both Du Quoin residents.

Franklin County

Franklin County races are under way with candidates for county coroner Derek Johnson and Marty Lefler, both of Benton, filing for nomination on the Democratic ticket. Lefler and Johnson both filed at 8 a.m. on the first day for filing.

A lottery will be held to determine whose name will appear first on the ballot.

County board filings include Democrats Danny Melvin of West Frankfort in District 3; Ray Overturf of Mulkeytown, District 1; David Rea of West City, District 2; Ken Hungate of Benton, District 2; Randall Crocker of Sesser, District 1; James McPhail of West Frankfort, District 3; and Republican DJ Davis of Christopher, District 1.

Two incumbents, Franklin County State's Attorney Tom Dinn of West Frankfort and Circuit Clerk Donna Sevenski of Benton, were the only persons to file for their respective races.

Saline County

In Saline County, several primary races have developed on the Democratic ballot. They include John B. Jones, Gary Maurer and Mike Weirauch, all seeking the nomination for coroner and the chance to oppose Republican Randy Reed. Running for state's attorney are Democrats Mike Henshaw and Rod Wolf; no Republican candidate had filed as of Monday afternoon.

Filing unopposed for circuit clerk was Randy Nyberg, a Republican.

Filing for the Saline County Board were Republicans Joe Jackson and John Stanley, and Democrats Wes Cook, Jay Williams, Georgia Cowger, Gary F. Siebert, Bruce Allen, Robert Pickering, Michelle Johnson, Danny Gibbs, Patrick Mings, Tony C. Wilson and Don Liebenguth.

Jefferson County

The final slate of candidates for the Feb. 5 primary election in Jefferson County includes three candidates for state's attorney and four for coroner. John Scott, a Republican, is running unopposed for circuit clerk.

State's attorney candidates include Democrats Kent Renshaw and Jeff Bradley, both of Mount Vernon, and Republican Nicole Villani, also of Mount Vernon.

Coroner candidates include Democrats Eddie Joe Marks, Christine Hayes and George Hess, and Republican Don Bond, all of Mount Vernon.

Union County

James Larry Karraker has filed as a Democratic candidate, seeking the nomination for state's attorney.

He will oppose Republican incumbent Allen James. Other candidate lists were not available to the newspaper Monday.