Independent can't run for sheriff

A McCook man will not be allowed to run for county sheriff, as the state of Nebraska does not recognize non-partisan, or Independent candidates for that office.

David C. McConnell tried to file with the Red Willow County Clerk's office for the county sheriff's office Friday, but was unable do so as he is registered as an Independent, or non-partisan, he said.

Pauletta Gerver, Red Willow County Clerk, said two state laws prohibit McConnell from filing for that office. One, 32-520, states that a county sheriff must be elected on a partisan ballot. All county offices are elected on a partisan, or Democrat or Republican, ballot, Gerver said.

Another state law, 32-628, states that no person shall be allowed to file a candidate filing form as a partisan candidate or have his or her name placed on the primary ballot of a political party unless he or she is a registered voter of the political party.

McConnell will also not be able to run in the General Election, Gerver said.

A letter from McConnell appears on today's Opinion Page.

Only a handful of incumbents whose elected office is up for grabs in the May 11 primary have filed for re-election.

Incumbents, or any official currently holding office, have until Feb. 16 to file. Non-incumbents have until March 1. Any elected office with less than two candidates running is automatically advanced to the General Election Nov. 2

Of the four open seats on the McCook City Council, only two incumbents have filed so far.

Jerry L. Calvin and Lonnie J. Anderson have both filed to retain their seats. Calvin's is a two-year term and Anderson's is one of three, four-year terms

Newcomer Shane A. Hilker also filed for one of the four-year terms.

Incumbents who have not yet filed are Mayor Dennis Berry and Mike Gonzales, both four-year terms.

There are three, four-year terms open on the Board of Education at McCook School District 0017. Current McCook School Board member Scott Johnson has already filed for re-election; fellow board members Shane Messersmith and Larry Shields have not.

For Red Willow County, two of the three Red Willow County Commissioner offices are up for election, both for four-year terms. They are First District County Commissioner, currently held by Earl McNutt, who has filed for re-election and Third District County Commissioner, Leigh Hoyt

In Red Willow County races, incumbents who have filed to retain their office include Paul Wood for County Attorney, Paulette Gerver for County Clerk and Gene Mahon for County Sheriff.

Other local county offices up for election and incumbents include Clerk of the District Court, Beverly Dodge, County Surveyor, Gary Dicenta and County Treasurer, Marleen Garcia.

There are three, four-year terms up for election for the City of Indianola. They include the office of mayor and two council positions.

Kevin Fornoff of Hayes Center is the only current board member on the Middle Republican Natural Resources District that has filed for re-election. Of the 11-member board, six seats are open. Other incumbents are Brad D. Randel, Dan Nelsen, Marty Shurr, Benjie Loomis and Josh Friesen.