Election Day is just eight days away, and one local race is entering uncharted territory, as candidates scramble for a place in the state legislature.

Two weeks ago, Democratic challenger David Suhr withdrew from the 29th District state Senate race, due to active duty requirements in the military. That appeared to seal a second term for Republican incumbent Johnnie L. Turner, until Turner died last week.

Now, 11 candidates have filed to run as write-ins in the serpentine district, which runs from Prestonsburg to Harlan. The hopefuls include:

• Craig E. Blackburn, of Prestonsburg
• John Clem, of Cranks
• Willie Crase, of Garrett
• Leonard Hendrickson, of Pine Top
• James Richard Tanner Hesterberg, of Prestonsburg
• Valerie Ison Horn, of Whitesburg
• Scott Madon, of Pineville
• Justin Wade Noble, of Emmalena
• Andrew Thomas Saylor, of Wallins Creek
• James Tyler Ward II, of Whitesburg
• Paul Williams, of Prestonsburg