Flurry of paperwork as candidates file to seek political office locally

Last Wednesday was the first day those looking to seek a political office in Kentucky could file their paperwork, and file they did.

In Christian County, there was a flurry of paperwork and individuals seeking all types of offices made their way to the Christian County Clerk’s Office, including Fiscal Court Magistrates, Hopkinsville Mayor, County Attorney and even County Clerk.

Incumbent Christian County Sheriff Tyler DeArmond filed his paperwork to seek re-election to that office, as a Republican, meaning there will be a face-off between DeArmond and Erik Pacheco in the primary election in May. Christian County Jailer Adam Smith also filed his paperwork to seek another term at the county jail and County Attorney Lincoln Foster has also filed to retain that title.

Hopkinsville Mayor and incumbent J.R. Knight got his paperwork filed early, and when challenger Russ Guffey files his paperwork, that will result in a primary between the two Republicans.

For Hopkinsville City Council, Ward 6 Councilmember Travis Martin, Don Marsh in Ward 3 and Clayton Sumner in Ward 7 have all filed to seek reelection to those seats.

For Christian Fiscal Court magistrates, Todd Morris has thrown his hat in the ring to seek the District 7 seat as a Republican, while James “Jim” Smith will seek the District 5 seat as a Democrat—that seat is currently held by Rich Liebe. Filing their paperwork to seek reelection are District 2 Magistrate Josh Turner and District 3 Magistrate George Barnett.

And finally, as of Friday afternoon, the Christian County Clerk herself, Melinda Humphries, got her paperwork filed to seek reelection to that office.

We will undoubtedly see more filings in the weeks to come, as the deadline to file to seek office is January 9, 2026.