Several local candidates made it official Monday by filing their intentions to seek county office on the first day of the filing period.
Among those who filed were:
Randy L. Carney of Osceola and John Alan Nelson of Blytheville for county judge. Longtime County Judge Steve McGuire has indicated he does not plan to seek another term.
Tommy Bennett Blytheville, Dale Cook of Blytheville and Ed Guthrie of Gosnell, for county sheriff. Current Sheriff James Sanders is prohibited by law from seeking re-election because he was appointed to serve the remainder of the term of the late Sheriff Leroy Meadows.
Incumbent County Clerk Lib Shippen of Osceola, Circuit Clerk Donna Bray of Osceola, Collector Patricia Caldwell of Luxora and Assessor Harley Bradley of Blytheville, all filed for re-election.
Peggy Meatte of Blytheville filed for Mississippi County treasurer. Current Treasurer Glenda Hollingsead has announced that she will not seek another term.
In addition, several incumbent justices of the peace have filed for re-election. They are:
JP District 2 Tommy Dildine of Blytheville; JP District 4 Jonathan Abbott of Blytheville; JP District 5 Barry J. Ball of Blytheville; JP District 7 Joe Lewis of Blytheville; JP District 8 Bill Nelson of Blytheville; JP District 10 Sylvester Belcher of Osceola; and JP District 12 Donnie McDaniel Wilson.
In addition, Bryan Dunham of Blytheville, filed for the JP District 3 seat that is being vacated by John Alan Nelson.
Other filings were for constables. They included: Terry Byrd Sr. of Blytheville, Bowen Township; Larry Goff of Blytheville and Randy Moody of Blytheville, Chickasawba Township; Carl W. Foster of Half Moon Township; Donnie McDaniel, of Wilson, Golden Lake Township; Hays T. Sullivan of Burdette, Burdette Township; and Jasper Jackson of Luxora, Fletcher Township.
Four people also filed for inclusion on the Mississippi County Democratic Central Committee. They are Harley Bradley, Joe Lewis, Hays T. Sullivan and Lib Shippen.
Filing will continue until noon Monday.
dhilton@blythevillecourier.com