KNEE DEEP…IN THE BIG SANDY: New Signups In Magistrate Races Make it Interesting Already

Some action locally on the political front with the sign up deadline set at Jan. 9, 2026, this is the second week of signups and already eleven candidates have signed up to run for magistrate.

Lawrence County has a four magistrate set up and two of the incumbents have signed to run in their respective districts including two term magistrates David Pinson in District 3 and Michael “Mouse” Halcomb in District 1. Brian Jordan has signed up to oppose Pinson.

In the other two districts competition has surfaced in nearly every race on the Republican side, with only one Democrat signed up so far.

Lawrence County, formerly a 2-1 Democrat stronghold,  was first turned off by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton preaching the funeral of the coal industry, and then a candidate showing up with if nothing else ‘pizazz” so the big shift was on statewide and Lawrence County has become  heavily Republican like most of the state’s 120 counties.

Back to this week.

Three term LC PVA Chris Rose filed to run on the GOP ticket for county-wide office joining County Attorney Johnny Osborne, County Clerk Chris Jobe, Sheriff Chuck Jackson, Jailer Roger Jordan and Judge/Exec. Phillip Carter who all signed up on the first day.

Carter has three opponents on the GOP ticket, Louisa Fire Chief Eddie Preston, LC Schools Transportation director and incumbent magistrate Rick Blackburn, and Louisa consignment store owner William Spradlin.

There are several rumors circulating concerning a Democrat who is ready to sign up in order to give voters a choice in November.

This week the attention is on the magistrates including new candidates “Chicken” George Wheeler, heavy equipment operator/mechanic and local businessman who is seeking office for the first time in District 2. He has competition so far from Jay Childers and Alan Scaggs who both signed up the first day.

The incumbent in District 2 is John Scaggs (yes, cousin of Alan) who has not decided to run this time after two terms on the court.

District 4 incumbent Rick Blackburn has decided to move on up and signed to run against Carter and two other candidates for judge/executive. In his place there are three candidates so far. Former State Road Foreman Todd Moran is running on the GOP ticket as well as Ron Boyer and Joseph Hardin.  Dave York is the only Democrat signed up to run in District 4.

The magistrate’s positions are usually competitive in Lawrence County since they pay $1,300  plus $300 expenses monthly. Pretty much a part time job but those who have served in these positions will tell you there is a lot of “aggravation” included. I don’t personally know the candidates yet but intend to meet them soon.

Those wishing to run in city elections, school board races and other non partisan local jobs register at a later date.

This list is up to date. 11/22/25. We will continue to report on who signs up to run every week until the Jan. 9 deadline, Lord willin’…

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Anyone who watched the Bulldogs play at Bell County for the Regional Championship last night on The Big One 106.3 online like I did, saw a whirlwind in a storm as the Dawgs lost a 16-6 contest to the Bobcats. I thought we were well coached, determined to win and fought against size and speed all night and had it not been for a couple fumbles and the heavy rain, could have won.

Very proud of Coach Short and his team this year.

But I have to say it! The announcers they had on The Big One were incredibly incompetent and acted as cheerleaders, constantly berating the officials and everyone else in the region. We were left with this foolish broadcast — whose announcers should go back to playing on TicToc all day. LCHS officials were reportedly denied by FB to have a broadcast of our own, we were forced to watch online on Bell Co. only.

I do appreciate the effort it took to post the game live online on Facebook and the effort these guys made, but it was still both hilarious and silly. Not what you are expecting for a football game. They all three need more practice.

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Can’t help but wonder which of the businesses in Louisa formerly operated under the umbrella of ARC and Tim and Leila Robinson. Tim announced the merger of ARC with a larger Health Care company recently and apparently does not have control over the spending and programs offered by the merged company.

Maybe city leaders have knowledge of what will become of city businesses once the ARC funding is no longer available.

Nobody can argue that the Robinsons have cleaned up main street and invested literally millions of dollars into Louisa and Lawrence County. Is all that gone with the wind? Will the new merged company keep any of the local facilities and/or businesses?

I suppose the local folks will find out the answers as the shutters come out.

I asked Mayor Slone about the effect the loss of the tax monies for these businesses could have on the city and all he would say is, “We’ll get through it”. Of course the city will “get through it” but there’s a lot of people hurting and looking for jobs as a result of the bubble that has burst. We need leadership from the city and county to maintain the growth we have enjoyed the past few years…