On the eve of qualifying deadline, candidates for state senator are readying their running shoes for the summer political sprint which will see contested races for both parties.
At stake is the 16th District State Senatorial spot which is vacant given the departure of incumbent Eric Stewart, who is running for U.S. Congress against incumbent Scott DesJarlais.
Stewart is leaving office as the seat changes from 14th to 16th District. The sole change caused by redistricting is dropping Bledsoe County and adding Marion County.
The race presently includes numerous Warren countians, including a former state senator. The former interim senator, Steve Roller, served a stint in the state senate after being appointed by the Warren County Commission to fill the unexpired term of Jerry Cooper, who retired with one year left on his term.
Roller was edged in the primary election by Stewart, a fellow Democrat.
Joining Roller as hopefuls from Warren County are Democrats Jeffery L. Bottoms and former McMinnville fire chief and current Viola Mayor Kevin Lawrence, and Republican Rod McClellan. Local resident Kevin Dunlap has picked up papers, but has yet to qualify.
Out of town qualifiers include two political veterans including Republican Ron Stolzfus, who ran against Cooper in past elections, and Republican Janice Bowling, who lost two narrow elections for 4th District U.S. Representative. Jim Lewis of Kimball is presently the only Democrat running who is not from Warren County.
Candidates have until noon this Thursday to qualify to run. However, in the case of state senator, the candidate must not only qualify in his or her home district but submit certified copies to the election commissions in each of the other counties in the district by the Thursday deadline in order to get on all the ballots.