A Seymour man has joined a growing field of Republicans seeking city council seats.
Kurt Newkirk’s decision this week to file a declaration of candidacy for the District 3 council seat means there are now three people looking to fill the seat currently held by Republican Danny Sloan.
Sloan, picked by a caucus when Andy Hagedorn resigned after moving out of the city, has not filed to run for a full term.
Newkirk said he’s never run for political office before. He will be competing for the seat with fellow newcomers Matt Nicholson and David L. Pollert, both of whom filed to run earlier.
“I’ve always kind of thought about it,” Newkirk said. “This is the first time I’ve gone forward with it. I want to see if I can help out the city council.”
Newkirk said he doesn’t have an agenda, but just wants to get involved in city government.
“I just want to experience something new,” he said. “I’m ready for it.”
The filing period to run for city offices including mayor, clerk-treasurer and the seven council seats ends at noon Friday. Potential candidates have to visit the county clerk’s office in the Jackson County Courthouse in Brownstown to file.
Earlier filings have set up two other Republican races for the May 5 primary.
The first involves the District 4 seat, held for nearly 20 years by incumbent Republican James Rebber. He is facing a challenge from newcomer Philip “Phil” Hardwick.
There also are three Republicans vying for the two at-large council seats. They are Kendra Zumhingst, Dovie Stidham and Darrin Boas. Boas recently beat Zumhingst 5-3 in a caucus to fill the vacancy created when Jennifer Siefker moved to Washington state.
Independent Shawn Malone and incumbent Democrat Lloyd Hudson also have filed for the two at-large seats. Hudson is seeking his sixth term in office.
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The filing period for the May 5 municipal primary for Seymour city races ends at noon Feb. 6.
Candidates for offices in Brownstown, Crothersville and Medora have until August to file.
To file a declaration of candidacy, visit the Jackson County Clerk’s Office at the courthouse in Brownstown. For information, call 812-358-6120.
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