Challengers register for several local races before deadline

With a flurry of last minute filing activity, several candidates registered for election at the Alleghany County Board of Elections late last week prior to the registration deadline last Friday at noon.

As a result, previously uncontested county races for board of education, county commission and sheriff now have candidates from both parties facing off for election.

In local races, four Democrats will face off for county commission and five Democrats will battle for the right to run for three board of education seats in primary action set for May 7. A total of four Republican candidates, two for each board, are seeking election. A Republican primary will not be necessary for local races, but a statewide primary will be held.

The only remaining unopposed local candidate in the election is 51-year-old Susie J. Gambill of Shiloh Church Road in Sparta, who is seeking re-election to the office of clerk of court.

Sheriff Incumbent Democrat John "Mike" Caudill will be facing off against Republican newcomer David Higgins of Ennice.

Caudill, a 48-year-old who lists an address on Brookfield Road in Sparta, is finishing up his third term as sheriff and also served as register of deeds from 1985 until 1988.

Meanwhile, Higgins, a 41-year-old dairy farmer who lists an address on JR. Dairy Road, currently serves as the Glade Creek Volunteer Fire Department's chief.

County Commission

In the commissioners race, incumbents Ken Richardson and Charity Gambill will face challengers Graylen Blevins and Sandy Andrews in a Democratic primary election. Current Chairman Ken Richardson, a 59-year-old businessman who lives on Memorial Park Drive in Sparta, has 12 years of tenure. He first served from 1986 through 1990.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back