Few have filed for election

Less than two weeks before filing deadline, Marion County residents have failed to file for 130 elected positions that will be on the ballot in August or November.

No Democrats or Republicans have filed for the 1st District county commissioner seat now occupied by Kent Becker.

Republican incumbent Jonah Gehring has filed for re-election to his 5th District seat, but no one from either party has filed to challenge him.

The only looming contest appears to be between two previously unsuccessful Republicans — wind farm opponent Tom Britain and the sheriff’s wife, Amy Soyez.

Both are again seeking the 4th District seat now held by Dave Crofoot, who has not filed for re-election.

On the Democrat side, only one candidate has filed for any of 24 available township clerk positions. Robert Klein has filed in Durham Park Township.

Just four Democrats — mayor Mike Powers and court clerk Jan Helmer in Marion South, Brian Tichenor in Marion North, and Myron Voth in East Branch — have filed for 52 positions as precinct committeemen or committeewomen.

Republicans have been only somewhat more likely to file.

Township clerk candidates filing by noon Tuesday included Charles Svoboda in Clear Creek, Michael Jay in East Branch, Gail Whiteman in Gale, former county treasurer Jeannine Bateman in Grant, Charles Loewen in Liberty, Dwight Flaming in Menno, and Shawn Entz in Peabody.

Other than the race for the Republican commissioner nomination in the 4th District, the only contested race appears to be for precinct committeeman in the Hillsboro 1st precinct.

Ronald Wilkins Jr. and Clint Seibel have filed for that position.

Others filing for Republican precinct committeeman or committeewoman are:

Jeanne Rziha in Blaine, Melvin and Marilyn Flaming in Catlin, Greg and Rose Davidson in Centre, Jeff and Kathy Inlow in Doyle, Scott and Brandy Smith in East Branch, Charles and Catherine DeForest in Fairplay, Randy and Judith Mills in Florence 1st.

Also, Todd and Laura Becker in Gale, Bateman in Grant. Gehring and wife Renee in Hillsboro, Louis Simmons and CleoBeth Friesen in Liberty, Lloyd Davies and Rose Vinduska in Marion North, Jim Crofoot in Marion South.

Also, Richard and Norma Tippin in Menno, Randy Kralicek in Peabody East. Matthew Gerhing in Risley, Wade Knust in Summit, Alisha Weiser in West Branch, and sheriff Jeff Soyez and wife in Wilson.

Candidates have until noon June 1 to file at the county clerk’s office in Marion.