Humboldt election draws new candidates

The deadline to be on the ballot for Humboldt’s November election has come and gone. Qualifying officially ended last Thursday, August 17 at noon. Bring on the campaigns.

On the November 7 ballot will be mayor and all five aldermen seats. Also on the ballot will be four of the five school board seats.

Humboldt mayor, Marvin Sikes, is seeking a second term and will face opposition from Tammie Porter to lead Humboldt.

In the aldermen races, Ward 1 incumbent James Shivers is being challenged by former alderman, Bobby Barnett.

Alderman Leon McNeal will serve another term representing Ward 2. McNeal is unopposed.

Incumbent Don Graves will face off against challenger, Jerry Young in Ward 3.

At one time, it looked as if Bob Pruett would have competition for the Ward 4 seat. Mike Hawks turned in a petition to be on the ballot but later withdrew his request, leaving Pruett unopposed.

Ward 5 will also be contested with incumbent Donna Johnson facing off against Tim Adams.

November’s election will also select three school board members on the regular 4-year cycle plus the remaining two years of the term for Ward 4. Lee Williams resigned from his seat after a accepting a job in Fort Worth, Tex.

With Williams’ seat vacated, the city board appointed Wayne McLemore to fill the position as an interim board member until the next election. McLemore has qualified to be on the ballot and has no opposition for the Ward 4 school board seat.

Ward 1 will be the busiest race on the ticket with three candidates seeking the school board seat. Incumbent Terry Johnson will face competition from Bobby Barnett and Thomas “Redd” Porter.

In Ward 3, challenger Lori Coleman hopes to unseat incumbent Phillip Hardee.

As for Ward 5, incumbent “Papa” Chuck Samples will run against challenger, Valeria Smith-Wedley.

According to Administrator of Elections Julieanne Hart, a petition is being circulated that would prohibit the sale of on premises consumption of liquor. As of last Friday, there were not enough signatures on the petition yet to be on the November ballot.

Humboldt voters approved liquor by the drink in November 2008. Since that time, no business has applied for a license for on premises consumption.

Those wishing to vote in the November 7 election must register by October 10, 2017 if he or she is not currently registered in their respective ward.

Early voting at the Gibson County Courthouse begins October 18, 2017 and runs through November 2, 2017.

For more information on all Gibson County elections, including precinct and ward maps, visit www.gibsonelections.com.