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Kentucky General Election: Marshall County Races

Kentucky General Election: Marshall County Races
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Nov. 04, 2018 | MARSHALL COUNTY
By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 04, 2018 | 10:30 AM | MARSHALL COUNTY
Marshall County voters will head to the polls Tuesday with the rest of the nation to choose the candidates who will represent them over the next term, with several hotly contested races on the ballot and some guaranteed changes coming to the makeup of the county's government.

On the county level, incumbent Republican Kevin Neal will face Democrat State Rep. Will Coursey in the race for county Judge/Executive. Neal has served as Judge/Executive since 2015. Coursey has been a State Representative since 2008.

Sheriff Kevin Byars, a Democrat who has held the position since 1997, will be defending his seat against Republican challenger Eddie McGuire. McGuire has 17 years of law enforcement experience, including 7 years as a police supervisor.

Whatever the results of Tuesday's election, Marshall County voters will be electing a new county attorney. Jeff Edwards is not running for re-election, leaving the seat wide open for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century. Independent Jason Darnall, who has worked in the office for 14 years, is looking to fill the vacant seat, as is his Democratic challenger Zachary Brien, who currently serves as Benton City Attorney.

Also not seeking re-election is District 1 County Commissioner Bob Gold. Voters will instead choose between Democrat Justin Lamb and Republican Joshua Medley. In the Second District, Incumbent Democrat Johnny Bowlin will face off against Republican Kevin Spraggs. Democrat Richard Cocke, elected 3rd District Commissioner in 2015, will defend his seat against Republican Monti Collins.

There will also be a new Coroner in Marshall County beginning next year. Mitchell Lee retired at the end of last year, leaving the seat open. Republican Michael Gordon will challenge Democrat Barry Taylor for the seat. Former Benton Police Chief Tracy Watwood has been serving as interim Coroner since Jan. 1.

Marshall County voters will also help elect several candidates to state and national races. Incumbent Republican James Comer and Democratic challenger Paul Walker are both running for the 1st Congressional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Voters will also participate in a statewide referendum to decide if a "victim's bill of rights" will be added to Kentucky's Constitution. 

In the race for Kentucky's open 6th District state legislature seat, Republican Chris Freeland will face Democrat Linda Story Edwards. Incumbent Republican Danny Carrol is running against Democratic challenger Julie Tennyson for the 2nd District State Senate seat.

Contested city level races include Benton City Council and Calvert City Mayor. In all, 10 candidates are running in the Benton City Council nonpartisan race; Tim Moores, Ann C. Riley, Kevin Farley, Stuart Wyatt, Rita Murray, Stanley "Butch" Holland, Gene Gilliland, Sherra Riley, Drew Williams, and Charles Edmonds. Only 6 candidates will be chosen. Incumbent Lynn Jones is running against challenger Von Puckett for Calvert City Mayor.

There are also several non-contested races on the ballot in Marshall County. Click the link below to view the full Marshall County ballot.

On the Net:

Marshall County Ballot
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