The field of potential candidates for the upcoming 2018 county elections continues to grow.

Campaign season officially kicked off on Nov. 17, which is the date candidates could pick up their qualification paperwork from the Carter County Election Commission. Since that day, more than 40 residents have picked up petitions to become political candidates, and a dozen have already returned their paperwork and qualified for the election.

Carter County Administrator of Elections Tracy Harris said so far the level of interest from potential candidates has been about average for a county election. Typically, Harris said, there is a flurry of residents picking up and turning in paperwork when candidate qualification opens, and then it slows down for a while, but interest picks back up shortly before the deadline to turn petitions back in.

“I think after the holidays it will pick up more,” Harris said.

The deadline for candidates to return their petitions is noon on February 15, 2018.

Both the Carter County Republican Party and the Carter County Democratic Party will host primary elections for the various county offices. All of those seeking the nomination of either political party will need to qualify as a candidate for the primary election. The winners of the primaries for the different offices will go on to be their party’s nominee in the August 2018 General Election.

While those wishing to run as independent candidates without the backing of a political party do not have to compete in the primary process to appear on the ballot for the General Election, Harris said they must still complete their qualification paperwork by the same deadline as those seeking a party’s nomination.

Those wishing to become candidates can pick up their paperwork at the Carter County Election Commission Office during regular business hours.

To qualify as a candidate for either party’s primary election or as an independent, residents must complete a candidate petition.

Each candidate petition must contain the signatures of at least 25 registered voters in order for the candidate to qualify. Those seeking election to a county-wide office — such as Mayor or Sheriff — can obtain signatures from registered voters residing anywhere in Carter County. Those running for district-specific offices — such as County Commission or Constable — must obtain their 25 signatures from registered voters residing within that district.

Below is a list of individuals who have picked up petitions seeking public offices in the specified races.

Carter County Mayor:

Rusty Barnett

Larry Shell

Danny Ward

Carter County

Sheriff:

Rocky Croy

Dexter Lunceford

County Clerk:

Bruce Pierce

Patsy Lewis

Mary Gouge

Trustee:

Randall Lewis

Register of Deeds:

Jarrod Ellis

Jessica Markland

Adam Townsend

Road

Superintendent:

Roger Colbaugh

Circuit Court Clerk:

Johnny Blankenship

Carter County

Commission:

Willie Campbell – 1st District

Dr. Robert Acuff – 1st District

Steven Blevins – 1st District

Al Meehan – 2nd District

Richard Guinn – 2nd District

John Babb – 2nd District

Mike Hill – 2nd District

Brad Johnson – 3rd District

Charles VonCannon – 3rd District

Ronnie Trivett – 3rd District

Ross Garland – 5th District

Randall Jenkins – 6th District

Donnie Cable – 6th District

Travis Hill – 6th District

Myles Cook – 8th District

Rick Richardson – 8th District

Constable:

Barney Brown – 2nd District

Leonard Johnson – 2nd District

Scott Hall – 3rd District

Jerry Miller – 3rd District

Jason Jones – 4th District

Harvey Shaffer – 4th District

Larry Presnell – 5th District

Mark Carrier – 5th District

John Henson – 6th District

Bobbie Trivette – 6th District

Ken Potter – 7th District

Gabriel “Seth” Babb – 7th District

So far, according to the Election Commission, 12 of those candidates have already turned their petitions back in and qualified as candidates. Those individuals are: Johnny Blankenship, Jarrod Ellis, Patsy Lewis, John Henson, Rocky Croy, Bruce Pierce, Rusty Barnett, Jessica Markland, Mary Gouge, Willie Campbell, Roger Colbaugh, and Jason Jones.

For more information on candidate paperwork, registering to vote, or anything related to the upcoming elections, contact the Carter County Election Commission at 423-542-1822 or stop by their office located at 116 Holston Avenue, Elizabethton, across from the Health Department.