Brian Boyce
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
The road to a Clay County Council seat could get a little bumpy this Primary Election, and that might just be the point.
Clay County Clerk Vickie Wheeler said she expects a strong turnout May 8, as both Democrat and Republican ballots sport contested races for council at-large, as well as two candidates for Commissioner District 2.
“I think it’s going to be a good turnout. There are a lot of issues being brought up about the roads and the money to pay for them,” she said, estimating turnout numbers will equal those seen in 2008. The condition of county roads, and questions concerning the availability of repair funds, is a topic of public concern, she said. “So I really think that’s going to draw people in, because we have a lot of complaints about the roads. And the wheel tax, too. A lot of people are for it, and a lot of people are against it.”
Council members manage the budget, while commissioners act as the county executives, putting those seats in the middle of the issue.
Those spots and Republican slots for coroner and surveyor are the only contested races this May. Meanwhile, the fact that 2012 is a presidential election year has already generated excitement, and Wheeler said she expects an equally strong showing in November’s General Election.
Candidates for the Clay County 2012 Primary Election
Democratic Party Ballot
Commissioner District 2
Charles (Charlie) Brown
Michael L. (Mike) Wilkinson
County Council at-Large
Chip Hoskins
Dolores Johnson
Roger LaPlante
William (Bill) Lovett
Michael McCullough
Republican Party Ballot
Surveyor
Rustina Johnson
John R. Keller
Coroner
John D. Fagg, Jr.
Joel R. Reinoehl
County Council at-Large
Patricia (Pat) Heffner
John Nicoson
Lisa D. Rickert
