LAWRENCE COUNTY — Filing for the 2026 primary election continued Thursday, with the Lawrence County Clerk’s Office seeing a steady stream of candidates seeking local and state offices.
Building on a busy first day of the filing period, several additional Republican and Democratic candidates officially entered their names into the race before the close of business Thursday.
In the race for Lawrence County Council, David Holmes (R) filed for the District 3 seat. He joins Jeffrey Lytton, who filed for the same district on Wednesday. Other council races remain set with Amy Redman (R) seeking the District 1 seat and Phil Inman (R) running for District 2.
The State Representative field also saw movement, as incumbent Chris D. May (R) filed for re-election in District 065 on Thursday.
Township-level leadership roles drew several filings on the second day:
- Bono Township: Michelle L. Porter (R) filed for Trustee.
- Perry Township: Carla Bomgardner (R) filed for Trustee.
- Pleasant Run Township: James Edsel Ford (R) filed for Trustee, while Crystal A. Dooley (R) and Paul Ford (R) both filed for seats on the Township Board.
- Spice Valley Township: David A. Kissel (R) filed for a position on the Township Board.
- Shawswick Township: Andrew J. Rusch (R) joined the Republican field for the Township Board.
The Republican primary for State Convention Delegate grew on Thursday with the filings of Andrew J. Rusch and Nathan Emmett Watson for District 3. They join earlier applicants Brad Bough, Chase Cummings, Robert Hall, and Henry Shetler.
On the Democratic ticket, the race for United States Representative for the Ninth District remains competitive following Wednesday’s filings by Brad A. Meyer and Keil L. Roark. Locally, Julie Morris (D) is seeking both a seat on the Shawswick Township Board and a position as a Democratic Convention Delegate.
Several high-profile county positions established on the first day of filing remain unopposed as of Thursday afternoon, including Nathan G. Nikirk (R) for Lawrence Circuit Court Judge, Greg Day (R) for Lawrence County Sheriff, and April Stapp Collins (R) for County Assessor. The Republican primary for Lawrence County Commissioner District 1 remains a contest between Jason Branham and challenger Rick Butterfield.
The filing period for the May 5 primary election continues through early February.
