Four File For Second District Commissioner

Filing for Franklin County offices for the August primary concluded on Tuesday, March 31, with four filing for Franklin County Second District Commissioner, three for Municipal Judge and two for County Auditor.

Those who filed and will be running unopposed in the August Primary and November General Election will be Incumbent  Franklin County Sheriff Steve Pelton-Republican, Incumbent Public Administrator Mary Jo Straatmann, incumbent Treasurer Debbie Aholt and First District Commissioner Todd Boland. 

Dawn (Copeland) Metz, Leslie, has filed and is running unopposed to replace longtime Assessor Tom Copeland, who decided not to seek re-election.

A four-way race is shaping up for the Republican nomination in the August primary for Second District Commissioner where incumbent Dave Hinson will be challenged by Darren Walker, Sullivan, who serves as Franklin County Highway Department West End Supervisor; Russell Rost, Union, Union City Administrator, and Mark J. Williams, Sullivan.

Two candidates have filed for the position of Auditor where appointed Auditor Angela Gibson, who is currently serving out the term of Tammy Vemmer, who retired from office in February, has filed along with St. Clair businesswoman Jamie (Rice) Keen. The position will be a two-year unexpired term.

Finally in the Franklin County Municipal Judge appointed Judge A David Arand, Union, Republican will be challenged in the primary by Ben Hotz, Washington. The winner in August will face Democrat Bill Stahlhuth, Labadie in November.

Arand was appointed to the position following the retirement of Judge Gael Wood.

The April 8 issue of the Independent News incorrectly stated that Dawn Mentz is the daughter of Tom Copeland. We apologize for this error.