Lincoln, Seminole counties draw number of candidates

Two more have filed in the race for Lincoln County sheriff, bringing the total at the end of the three-day filing period to 12 candidates.
Lincoln County Sheriff A.T. Brixey is not among the candidates and was not available for comment Tuesday or Wednesday.
Candidates filing Wednesday were Dave Sokolowski, D-Chandler, and Earnie Redford, D-Stroud. Other Democratic candidates filing this week for the sheriff race were Jim Bartlett, Sparks; Charlie Dougherty, Wellston; Bill Sides Jr., Davenport; James L. Hampton, Tryon; Trisha K. Ford, Tryon; and Jerry T. White, Davenport.
Republican candidates to file in the sheriff race are Paul Coffey, Meeker; Dennis E. Rhodes, Agra; Leonard Leafty, Wellston; and Jack Jackson, Wellston.
Candidates Don E. Sporleder, R-Davenport, and Wayne Corter, D-Cushing, drew additional opposition Wednesday as Brian Stevens, D-Agra, filed for the Lincoln County District 1 county commission seat. The District 1 seat will carry a two-year unexpired term.
Incumbent Ricky Taylor, D-Chandler, drew no opposition in his bid for re-election as District 2 county commissioner and will retain his seat.
Incumbent Lincoln County court clerk Cindy Kirby and incumbent county clerk Debbie Greenfield drew no opposition in their bids for re-election and will retain their positions.
Joel Simmons, Peggy D. Lawyer and Charles Rikard filed Wednesday for positions with Lincoln County Fire Protection districts, and Russell Houser, Wellston, drew opposition from Harrah resident Kathy Lehman for director of the Southwestern Lincoln County Fire Protection District.
Simmons, Meeker, filed for director of the Jacktown District; Lawyer, Wellston, filed for director of the Northwest District; and Rikard, Sparks, filed for director of the Central District. Each director’s position with the Lincoln County Protection districts carry six-year terms.
No additional candidates filed Wednesday for races in Seminole County.
Incumbent Sheriff Joe Craig, D-Seminole, has drawn opposition from Christopher Rives Heathcott, D-Seminole, and Brad Morgan, D-Konawa, in his bid for re-election.
Sharon Post, D-Seminole, was unopposed in her bid for re-election as Seminole County court clerk, and candidates Tahasha Wilcots, D-Wewoka, and Emery J. Magruder, D-Seminole, will face off for the county clerk’s position.
Incumbent Jvon James, D-Seminole, has drawn opposition from two candidates in his bid for re-election to the District 2 county commission seat. James will face off against Noble Hayes, D-Seminole and Fred Combs, D-Seminole.
The primary election will be held July 29.
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Jason Smith may be reached at 214-3932 or william.j.smith@news-star.com.