BOLLINGER COUNTY FEATURES PRIMARY FIGHT FOR COLLECTOR

MARBLE HILL -- The field of candidates for Bollinger County collector is a crowded one.

Six candidates -- three Republicans and three Democrats -- are seeking to replace longtime Collector Dale Bollinger, a Democrat, who is retiring.

The collector's race is just one of many for Bollinger County offices. The filing period ended Tuesday.

In the collector's race, the Republican candidates are Marble Hill Mayor Adrian Shell, Jerry Marquis of Marble Hill and Kimberly Fulbright Devenport of Sedgewickville.

On the Democratic side, Marble Hill resident Nick Bollinger is seeking to succeed his uncle. But he faces competition in the August primary from Bob Anderson of Glen Allen and Charles Angel of Marble Hill.

The crowded field of candidates in the collector's race stands in marked contrast to that of prosecuting attorney, where no candidate filed. Incumbent Paul Hahn, a Democrat, did not file for re-election.

County Clerk Diane Holzum said that if no attorney files as an official write-in candidate, Gov. Mel Carnahan will have to appoint a lawyer to fill the position.

Holzum, a Republican, faces primary opposition in her re-election bid from Beverly Johnson of Marble Hill. The winner will face Democrat Margie Cook Gaines of Marble Hill in the November election.

Presiding Commissioner Elwood Mouser, a Republican, faces opposition from Laflin area Democrat Marshall Stroder, a former county commissioner.

First District Commissioner Jerry Woodfin is unopposed for re-election.

But Second District Commissioner Junior Cook, a Democrat, is being challenged in the primary by Joyce Long of the Bessville area. Long ran unsuccessfully against Cook two years ago. The winner will face Republican Sharon K. Smith of Sedgewickville in the November general election.

Democrat Mary Hager, the circuit clerk and recorder, is opposed in her re-election bid by Republican Sharon Lutes of Marble Hill.

Treasurer Naomi Null, a Republican, faces opposition from Democrat Joe Carlisle of Leopold.

Associate Circuit Judge Bill Hopkins, a Democrat, is challenged by Republican Scott E. Thomsen of Marble Hill.