Strong contests developed in Butler County for eastern and western district commissioner in the Aug. 6 primary election.
Filing is now closed for county and state offices.
Currently 16 people have filed, all Republicans except for one, for open county offices. Eleven are competing for the two county commissioner spots. Eastern district commissioner Butch Anderson and western district commissioner Boots LeGrand both announced in February that they would not seek new terms.
Public Administrator Jeff Darnell is facing Amy Kopf.
Filing closed March 27. Those successful in the primary will represent their party in the November general election.
Current candidates:
• Eastern district commissioner — Daniel St. Lawrence, Wes Gilmore, Ralph Stucker, Rowdy Boyer, and Andy Clark. Democrat Van L. Rhodes also filed.
• Western district commissioner — Larry Wells, Kenneth Barker II, T.J. Akers, Douglas Fleigle, and Bobby A. Sheppard
• Public administrator — Jeff Darnell (incumbent) and Amy Kopf
• Assessor — Chris Rickman (incumbent)
• Coroner — Jim Akers (incumbent)
• Sheriff — Mark Dobbs (incumbent)
• Committeeman — Joseph Leahy