The filing deadline to run for office in the 2026 Primary Election is creeping closer.
According to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office, 24 candidates have filed candidacy papers to run for office in Grayson County.
Candidate filings, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office
In a battle to replace Norman Chaffins as Grayson County sheriff, Clarkson Police Chief Billy “Buck” Meredith and Grayson Co. Chief Deputy D.R. Sonny Poteet, both Republicans, have filed to run.
Chaffins was first elected sheriff in 2014.
In the non-partisan, six-seat Leitchfield City Council race, five of the six incumbents, Raymond “Tooty” Cottrell, George Hack, James Clayton Miller, Tim Bocock, and Terry Haycraft have filed to run.
Newcomer Adrian Board has also filed papers to run for a seat on the council.
Only incumbent and longtime Councilman William “Billy” Dallas has not yet filed.
Eight candidates, all Republicans, have filed to run in the six-seat Grayson County magisterial race: Incumbents Charles Neal Saltsman (6th District), Brian Ashley (5th), Phillip Darin Whitely (2nd), Brenda Huffman (3rd), Ben Hodges (1st), and Jason Dennis (4th).
New candidates Elissa Hudson and Dustin King have filed to run in the 3rd District magisterial race against Huffman.
The uncontested
Only newly installed interim County Clerk Tonya Kessinger, a Republican, has filed to run for that office next year.
Republican incumbents, Jailer Jason Woosley, Judge-Executive Kevin Henderson, Coroner Kevin Pharis, County Attorney Jeremy Logsdon, and PVA Ernie Perkins are the only candidates to file to run for their respective offices.
Two incumbent constables, Damon Lasley III (1st District) and Bill Dalton (4th), have filed to run in the primary. Both candidates are Republicans.
The final day to file candidacy papers is January 9, 2026.
The 2026 Primary Election is scheduled for May 19, while the General Election is slated for November 3.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
