Some Logan County natives or those with strong Logan County ties were winners in their primary elections. Others had no opposition in the primary but will be on the ballot in November.
Deputy Sheriff Tracy White is the Democratic nominee for Todd County sheriff. He drew 1,082 votes, higher than current Logan County Deputy Sheriff Giles Taylor (509) and former Todd sheriff Billy Stokes (334). White, a graduate of Logan County High School, will face Republican primary winner Timothy Porter.
Jeff Penick, a graduate of Russellville High School who is now an instructor with Todd County Adult Education, won the Republican primary for jailer in Todd County. He received 231 votes while the other two candidates—former Logan County and Adairville officer Travis Harris (112) and David Chapman (69)—drew less than half the votes. Penick will go against incumbent jailer Greg Allen, the Democratic nominee, in November.
Long-time Todd County Attorney Mac Johns is unopposed for reelection.
Warren County Jailer Jackie Strode, who began his state police career in Logan County in the early 1970s, defeated his opponent, Timothy Wilson, in the Democratic primary by well over 4,000 votes. The Daily News listed no Republican candidate for Jailer. Yet another term is on the way.
David Lanphear, who has extensive North Logan roots, was the top vote getter among six candidates for judge in Warren Circuit Family Court. He received 5,029 votes among over 18,000 cast. He will go against second-place finisher Rebecca Simpson (4,733) in November. The incumbent, Judge Dick Downey, did not seek reelection.
He tells The LoJo: “I am proud of my Logan County heritage. My grandparents were Stuart and Bernice Smotherman, who lived on the Stuart Smotherman Road. My mother, Antrinet, was their oldest daughter. She graduated from Lewisburg High School in 1939. She married my father, Roy Lanphear, a Massachusetts native who was stationed at Fort Campbell during WWII, following the war. Her brothers (my uncles) were Joe Lloyd Smotherman, who died in 1972, and S.C. Smotherman, who lives on the Lewisburg Road. I have several cousins who are lifelong residents of Logan County”
Alice Lynn Forgy Kerr, a Lewisburg native, will face a Democratic challenger for a fifth term in the Kentucky Senate. She had no opposition in the primary. She was at the Lewisburg School Alumni Banquet this weekend and was accompanied by her new husband, Randy Lutke. They met at church camp many years ago and got to know each other again about a year ago. She is keeping her Alice Forgy Kerr name professionally.
Byron Chapman also attended the Lewisburg event. The Russellville High School alumnus is completing his third term as mayor of Middletown, Ky., a suburb of Louisville in Jefferson County. He has no opposition in the General Election for a fourth term.
LCHS graduate and former local journalist C. Josh Givens says, “I am running in a nonpartisan mayor's race in Morgantown. My opponent right now is Billy J. Phelps, the retired Police Chief of Morgantown. There is still some time to go before the August deadline, and there is talk there will be another candidate.
“At any rate, my reasons for running are varied; however, my main focus is economic development, small business, and infrastructure such as our park and water/sewer upgrades. I am currently a board member for the Morgantown Butler County Chamber of Commerce and BC Drug Free Community Coalition.
“I was editor of the Banner-Republican for 3 1/2 years, but resigned in December to seek office and assist with the family business, Smith Funeral Home, which my wife, Rachel Coleman Givens, has owned since 2003.
“Rachel and I have seven children, and spend most of our time at the baseball fields coaching Little League Baseball.”
The LoJowelcomes reports of other candidates with similar Logan County ties that may have been omitted.