LOUISA — The upcoming May 2022 Primary election in Lawrence County has produced its first controversy.
A hearing is set for March 24 in Lawrence County Circuit Court in a lawsuit filed by Lawrence County Coroner Wesley Heston seeking to disqualify his opponent in the Republican primary election. Heston, who just changed to the GOP party after being a Democrat most of his life, says in the suit that Will Skaggs doesn’t meet the constitutional qualifications for coroner.
Heston claims opponent Will Scaggs is not old enough to run for the office.
Scaggs reportedly is just shy of the 24 year-old age qualification according to Heston’s lawsuit.
Lawrence County judge/executive Phillip Carter, who has been in county government for two decades, said the rules on the age for coroners says 21 years of age but has been changed to 24 and then changed back in recent years and maybe back again. He said it was unclear what the law presently states.
“We are not responsible to check the eligibility of candidates when they sign up to run,” the deputy clerk said. “They have to make sure they are eligible.”
Will is completely quilified for this job. Looks like Heston is scared.
I don’t think Wes is scared at all. He’s an honest man and wants an honest election on an even playing field. I’m sure that anyone running for office wants the same thing.
Why would he use intimidating things to discourage this young man? He also has two older men in Louisa bad mouthing Will.
There is a difference in being qualified and having the qualifications.
First controversy?
What about Phil Carter and Heath Preston?
Sounds like no one has a clue as to the rules. Now that is scary and a disgrace.
If you go by the secretary of state. He must be 24 years old at the time of election. Now a person can be a deputy coroner at 21 years old
Heston is not a good coroner. Hell he can’t even drive the van I’ve seen him hit several things including trees and cars. He gets lost if he goes out into the county
I think the election is rigged
Rules are made to abide by. If Mr.Skaggs will be to young to take office he should be disqualified. I’m sure he knew this when he signed up. Mr. Heston is a good coroner and Skaggs would be also. Rules are rules.
Democrats won’t support Heston anymore
Will may have to wait until the next election for a chance to represent us. Regardless of the outcome, I hope no one ends up with a negative image of Mr. Skaggs. He really is an intelligent, hard working, and fine young man.
Shouldn’t Chris Jobe know the election rules an qualification? Jobe has been in office long enough he should know them by heart. Why didn’t he inform Mr Skaggs of the age limit before letting him enter the race. Now after spending his time an money on campaigning NO one seems to know the rules. I think is refreshing to see a young man interested enough to want to work. Awake up LC .
The fact all of this drama is happening with elections locally and no one is a little suspicious, worries me. 🚩🚩🚩🚩
Everyone working for the city and county need removed from office and replaced due to corruption. There isn’t one person in office that I’d trust. 🤮
Way I see it if my person loses it’s stolen if my person wins it’s a honest election.
It’s shameful how we can send 18 year old men and women to fight and die for our freedom. You can legally drink at 21. Will SKAGGS is perfectly capable of serving LC as Coroner. Mr. Heston sure has a record of NOT doing his job in a professional way.
I agree about the drinking age if you can fight for your country you should be allowed to get a beer.
I wonder when Mr Heston switched parties? Did he switch in time to run on the republican ticket? I think they are both good men but it could be possible neither can run.
I don’t think this makes Will Skaggs look bad at all.
I think it makes Wes look bad. He must have dug deep to find this rule, especially if the courthouse didn’t even know.
I’m pretty sure he will be 24 a few months after the election anyway.
But if this happens, I sure hope Will Skaggs will run in the next election because I think that this issue will give him lots of votes next time!
Well looks like the older one is Afraid that Mr Skaggs has a chance of winning out with the old in with the new come on man give the young man a chance
Maybe Will Skaggs should run for County Clerk Im sure he could do a better job than Mr Jobe has done at least maybe he would know the election RULES>