Candidates racing against filing deadline
County clerk expects additional candidate filings Monday, Tuesday

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Friday, Jan. 27, 2006 - With the filing deadline fast approaching, additional candidates have filed their paperwork with the office of Nelson County Clerk Phyllis Mattingly.

"It's been a crazy day here today," one deputy clerk said Friday afternoon when called for the latest filing information.

So far, here's a partial line-up of candidates and the offices they are seeking.

Magistrate District One

Incumbent Democrat Maynard Wimsett faces challengers Kenny Dones and Dale Clark in the May primary.

Magistrate District Two

Political newcomer Democrat Debbie A. Davis filed her paperwork Friday to challenge incumbent Raymond Greer for his seat on Fiscal Court. Greer ran unopposed in 2002.

Magistrate District Three

Republican Greg Burkot is rumored to be ready to enter the race for Third District magistrate. This writer spotted Burkot Friday afternoon in the hallway of Phyllis Mattingly's office talking on his cellphone. If time had permitted I would have queried him about his plans to run for the office.

If Burkot does indeed file, he'll face the winner of the Democratic primary, incumbent Bernard Ice or challenger David McMichael.

Magistrate District Four

Incumbent Tim Hutchins has yet to file for reelection. If Hutchins files to run again, he'll face three other Democrats who had filed for the office as of Friday -- Bill Osborne, Austin Weller and David Shields.

Magistrate District Five

So far, Democratic incumbent Roy S. Drake will face Jerry L. Hahn in the May primary. No Republican candidates have filed yet for the office. In 2002, Drake beat incumbent Amos Gritton in the primary, as well as fellow Democrats Ronnie Hatfield and Bobby Chowning. Drake went on to beat Republican Jack Raymond in the 20002 general election.

Nelson County Coroner

On Friday, Robert S. Enlow filed paperwork seeking the office of Nelson County Coroner. Enlow filed as a Democrat. In 2002 Enlow was an unsuccessful candidate in a three-way race for Bill Osborne's District Four seat on the Nelson County school board.

Enlow will face Democrat Field Houghlin in the May Primary. Houghlin operates his family's funeral home in Bloomfield and is a partner in several others in the area.

The winner in May will face Republican Danielle Chladek in November. Chladek ran against incumbent coroner Joseph "Sonny" Greenwell and lost in 2002, though she still claimed 30 percent of the vote.

Nelson County Clerk

Longtime incumbent county clerk Phyllis Mattingly officially filed her own paperwork today. Mattingly said she's been clerk since 1974, and has no plans to retire.

Additional filings will be reported as they become available. A complete rundown of all candidates and offices will be posted after the Jan. 31 filing deadline, after all, you can't tell the players without a program.