Only three races shape up for Cole County offices

The candidates are set for elections later this year in Cole County.

Candidate filing ended at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The offices of presiding commissioner, county clerk, auditor, circuit clerk, collector, prosecuting attorney and recorder of deeds, along with associate circuit judge and two circuit judge seats, are all on the ballot.

Republican Sam Bushman is running unopposed for presiding commissioner. Current commissioner Marc Ellinger will not run for re-election.

With Marvin Register deciding not to run again for county clerk, five people have thrown their hats into the ring for that office.

Republicans Patty Bates, Mike Sullivan, Steve Korsmeyer and Rik Combs are on the ballot along with Democrat Susan Cook.

For the recorder of deeds race, 19-year incumbent Democrat Larry Rademan is facing a challenge from Republican Ralph Bray.

In the race for circuit judge, Pat Joyce filed for re-election in the circuit court's Division 4, as a Democrat. Republican Brian Stumpe filed against Joyce.

Incumbent Republican Dan Green also filed for re-election to the circuit court's Division 2, and is running unopposed.

Longtime Associate Circuit Judge Tom Sodergren filed for re-election as a Republican is also running unopposed.

Incumbent Republican Dawnel Davidson filed for circuit clerk and is unopposed.

Republican incumbent prosecutor Mark Richardson also is running unopposed.

Other Republicans running are incumbent collector Larry Vincent, and Kristen Berhorst for the auditor's office. Both are unopposed.

Berhorst has been the longtime aide to current county auditor Jim LePage. With the end of filing Tuesday, LePage made it official he would not seek another term, saying it was time to leave.

The primary election will be on Aug. 5, and the general election will be held Nov. 4.