The Cache County Clerk’s office was busy Thursday, the final day to file for political office. Nine candidates for state, county, school board and water district offices visited the office throughout the day to officially register their candidacy.
As a result, a number of offices will be contested. Overall, 38 people filed for office.
<h3>State Representatives</h3>
For state House races, incumbent Val Potter, R-District 3, has registered to run again and he has a Democratic challenger: Marilyn Mecham, a resident from Smithfield. A number of candidates have filed their intentions to replace Ed Redd and Curt Webb who announced earlier this year they would not be seeking reelection for District 4 and District 5, respectively.
Republican candidates for State District 4 include former educator Dan Johnson and Cache County council member Greg Merrill. The office also has a Democratic challenger in Josh Brundage. On his declaration of candidacy, Brundage is listed as a retail store manager of Camp Saver in Nibley.
For House District 5, Casey Snider and Steven Hanson will face off in a Republican primary while Nibley resident Karina Brown is running on the Democratic ticket.
<h3>Cache County Council</h3>
Three seats for the Cache County Council are up for grabs this year. Incumbents Gina Worthen, R-North East District, and Gordon Zilles, R-South East District will have some competition. Democrat Shannon Rhodes is challenging Worthen, while Zilles will be involved in a primary against fellow Republican Michael Johnson. The winner of that primary will face Democrat Rebecca Winstead.
Additionally, Republican Paul Borup and Democrat Jennifer Roark will be running to replace Greg Merrill for Cache County Logan #3.
<h3>Cache, Logan and State School Boards</h3>
One seat on the Cache County School Board will be challenged. Shellie Giddings has filed to challenge incumbent Randall Bagley in Precinct 4. Allen Grunig (Precinct 5), Roger Pulsipher (Precinct 2) and Teri Rhodes (Precinct 7) are running unopposed.
Lisa Hopkins will not be seeking reelection to the Logan School Board. Three candidates have filed to replace her: Daniel Kent, Larry Williams, and Sara Menlove Doutre have all filed for Logan School Board District 5. Kristie Cooley is running unopposed in District 1 and Frank Stewart, who was appointed to fill the remaining term of Connie Morgan in District 4. Stewart has applied to continue in that role.
Terryl Warner has filed for another term on the Utah State School Board. She will have a challenger from Morgan County. Jennie Earl has also filed to represent District 1, which covers Cache, Box Elder, Rich and Morgan counties.
<h3>Cache Water District</h3>
A long list of candidates have filed to serve on the Cache Water District. Bret Randall has applied to represent the Northeast District; Herm Olsen and Jonathan Kirby have filed to represent District 3; Jonathan Hardman has filed to represent the South district; Shaun Dustin has filed to represent the Southeast District; and, Brett Roper, Dr. Travis Littledike, and Kirt Lindley have all filed for the At-Large position on the district.
<h3>Cache County Administration</h3>
Administrative positions in Cache County appear to be unchallenged this election cycle. County Executive Craig Buttars, County Sheriff Chad Jensen, County Attorney James Swink, and County Clerk Jill Zollinger are running unopposed.