Municipal filings have closed in Independence County, and the General Election ballot will feature no contested races for local offices, according to Independence County Clerk Tracey Mitchell. Filing closed on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at noon, leaving some positions with only incumbents and others entirely vacant.
Newark and Pleasant Plains stand out as the only municipalities where every vacant office attracted a candidate. Other towns, such as Sulphur Rock, have recently restructured their city councils into entirely at-large positions, according to the clerk’s office.
If no one files for a municipal position, the incumbent may remain in office or a replacement may be appointed, Mitchell explained. Mayoral terms across the county are set to expire in 2026, whereas recorder-treasurers’ terms will last until 2028.
### Here are the final filings for each municipality:
#### **City of Batesville** - Mayor: Rick Elumbaugh* - City Clerk: Jessica Davis* - City Attorney: Tim Meitzen* - **City Council:** - Ward 1, Position 1: Kyle Christopher* - Ward 1, Position 2: No candidate filed (Incumbent Scott Fredricks did not seek re-election.) - Ward 2, Position 1: Fred Krug* - Ward 2, Position 2: Robb Roberts* - Ward 3, Position 1: Julie Hinkle* - Ward 3, Position 2: Brittany Bennett* - Ward 4, Position 1: Paige Hubbard* - Ward 4, Position 2: Lackey Moody*
#### **City of Cushman** - Mayor: Joshua Goodwin* (Goodwin was appointed mayor on July 28 following Nichole Bryant’s resignation on July 1.) - **City Council:** - Position 1: Vacant - Position 2: Kenneth Allen Cole* - Position 3: Lori Pierron* - Position 4: Vacant (Levi Hatfield was disqualified for not residing within city limits.) - Position 5: Elizabeth Davidson*
#### **Town of Magness** - Mayor: No candidate filed (Incumbent Jonathan Hall did not seek re-election.) - **City Council:** - Position 1: Helen Garner* - Position 2: Maegan Chappelle* - Position 3: Vacant (Incumbent Coralee Engles did not seek re-election.) - Position 4: Kristen Blevins* - Position 5: John Ford*
#### **Town of Moorefield** - Mayor: Sarah Morgan* - **City Council:** - Position 1: Vacant (Incumbent Phil Goodwin did not seek re-election.) - Position 2: Randy Nash* - Positions 3-5: Vacant (Incumbents Glen Pool, Ben Pool, and Nancy Kramer did not seek re-election.)
#### **City of Newark** - Mayor: Brian Barber* - **City Council:** - Ward 1, Position 1: Jimmy Cunningham* - Ward 1, Position 2: Kendall Rutledge* - Ward 2, Position 1: Rachelle Lindsey Graham (Filling a position formerly held by the late Larry Langston.) - Ward 2, Position 2: Kyle Garner* - Ward 3, Position 1: Larry Magness* - Ward 3, Position 2: Rodney Griffin (Previously held by Charlie Skaggs.)
#### **Town of Oil Trough** - Mayor: Bobby Carroll* - **City Council:** - Position 1: Vacant (Incumbent Martin Stewart did not seek re-election.) - Position 2: Timothy Riley* - Position 3: Lola Long* - Position 4: Laura Pelley* - Position 5: Austin Carey*
#### **Town of Pleasant Plains** - Mayor: Ruth Quintana* - **City Council:** - Position 1: Stacey Caplener* - Position 2: Caleb Brackett* - Position 3: Michael Wagenblast* - Position 4: James Grider* - Position 5: Bani’ Meharg*
#### **City of Southside** - Mayor: Ray Bowman* - **City Council:** - Ward 1, Position 1: Vacant (Incumbent Bobby Denison did not seek re-election.) - Ward 2, Position 1: Joey Sample* - Ward 3, Position 1: Tim Fairchild*
#### **Town of Sulphur Rock** - Mayor: Paul Hoggard* - **City Council:** - Position 1: Erin Walters - Position 2: Paula Summers - Position 3: Greg Graham - Position 4: Vacant - Position 5: Randel Davis - Position 6: Jamie Henrikson
The lack of contested races means routine governmental duties across Independence County cities and towns will largely be handled by continuing officials or appointees in the coming term.