Crawford County Candidates Unopposed For Primary, General Elections

Crawford County elected officials will be unopposed in the primary and general elections, putting them on track for new four-year terms in 2027.

There are nine positions up for election, two of which are judgeships.

All candidates are Republicans.

Presiding Commissioner Steve Black, Circuit Court Clerk Karen Harlan, County Clerk Kim Gibbs, Recorder of Deeds Kim Cook, Prosecuting Attorney David Smith, Collector Pat Schwent and Treasurer Karen Sikes are all unopposed.

Black is headed towards his second term; Harlan, Cook and Schwent fifth terms; Smith, Schwent and Sikes third terms.

Gibbs is running for her first full term. She was appointed to serve out the remainder of former clerk John Martin in January 2025. 

Judge Michael Randazzo has filed for Division 2 circuit court and Judge Patrick Horsefield for associate circuit judge.

Both are incumbents.

In the 120th District state representative race, incumbent John Hewkin of Cuba is the only Republican candidate listed. 

Ray Bruno of Lenox is the only Democratic candidate listed for the same office.

The state auditor race will feature contested primaries. 

Incumbent Scott Fitzpatrick is being challenged in the Republican primary by Gerald “Jerry” Wistrand Jr. 

Democratic candidates listed are Quentin Wilson and Gregory Upchurch. 

Dustin Coffell is listed as the Libertarian candidate.

The 2nd Congressional District race also includes multiple candidates. 

Incumbent Ann Wagner is being challenged in the Republican primary by Peter Pfeiffer, Brandon Wilkinson, Matthew Grant and Elizabeth Sparks-Holmes.

Democratic candidates listed are Timothy D. Bilash, Joan VonDras and Fred Wellman. 

Brandon Coulter Daugherty is listed as the Libertarian candidate.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at regular polling places in each Crawford County precinct. The primary will nominate candidates for federal, state, district and county offices to appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.