BOLLINGER COUNTY READY FOR AUGUST PRIMARY BATTLES

MARBLE HILL -- Seventeen candidates filed as candidates for Bollinger County offices Tuesday, assuring August primary battles for First and Second district county commissioners and sheriff.

First District Commissioner Robert Gray, appointed to fill an unexpired term, is seeking election to his first full term. Gray, a Democrat, faces a primary battle from Junior W. Long.

On the Republican side, John F. Johnson Jr., Elwood Mouser and Larry VanGennip will face off in August.

Second District Commissioner Rod Jetton is running for a state representative seat. Republicans Wayne Whitener and Ralph Collier, and Democrats Kelvin Yount, Darold Mills and Junior Cook are seeking to succeed Jetton as county commissioner.

Sheriff Dennis Willis, a Democrat, filed for re-election. Republicans Barry Hughes and Terry Wiseman are battling for the GOP nomination for sheriff.

Coroner Gene Ward, a Democrat, faces a re-election challenge from Republican Charles Hutchings.

Public Administrator Winford Brown and County Surveyor John Reilly also filed for re-election.

The filing period opened Tuesday and runs through March 28.