Published: January 05, 2010 08:51 pm      

Nominees selected to vye for Higdon's seat

Somerset — State employee Leo Johnson, Republican nominee, and retired Social Security Administration employee Terry Mills, Democratic nominee, are candidates in the special election February 2 to fill the unexpired term of Jimmy Higdon in the 24th House District. Higdon was elected to the state Senate in December to succeed Dan Kelly who was appointed to a judgeship by Gov. Steve Beshear.

The 24th District is made up of Marion and Casey counties and five precincts –– Eubank, Buncombe, Mt. Zion, Ansel and Fall Branch –– in Pulaski County.

The nominees –– Johnson, 31, of Windsor, and Mills, 57, of Lebanon, were chosen by Republican and Democratic executive committees. Action by the parties apparently was taken during the past weekend. A spokeswoman for the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office said confirmation of Johnson’s selection had been received but she said that office had no information on Mills’ selection as of early Tuesday morning, the final day for both parties to choose nominees.

Mills, contacted by telephone, confirmed his nomination. Mills already has filed as a Democratic candidate for the 24th House seat subject to regular elections in 2010.

The term of the winner of the special election will end at the first Monday in January 2011. To be a candidate for a full two-year term the winner of the special election will have to file as a candidate during the 2010 regular election cycle.

Only the five aforementioned precincts in northern Pulaski County and voters in Marion and Casey counties will participate in the special election. Eubank has 1,167 registered voters; Ansel has 461; Buncombe has 965; Mt. Zion has 714; and Fall Branch has 651. Pulaski countians who live outside the 24th District can’t vote in the special election.

Pulaski County Clerk Ralph Troxtell said the special election will provide a good opportunity to test the county’s new voting equipment –– paper ballots and optical scanners –– that will be used in 2010 local elections.

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Mills’ photograph courtesy The Lebanon Enterprise. Johnson’s photograph courtest Casey County News.