PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Developing election news on Tuesday has the voters in the city of Pikeville potentially casting two ballots for mayor next year — once in May and the second time in November.
That’s because there now appear to be at least three candidates vying for the office, triggering a mayor primary.
Mayor Jimmy Carter filed his paperwork to seek re-election back on Nov. 5, the first day candidates could file for next year’s elections.
Tuesday morning, Commissioner Steve Hartsock filed his candidacy paperwork. Then on Tuesday night, Commissioner Bob Shurtleff announced via social media that he also intends to seek the office.
Under Kentucky law, if only one or two candidates file for the office, the race moves directly to the November ballot. But cities that were previously classified as first-, second- or third-class are required to hold mayoral primaries anytime the race draws three or more candidates. Pikeville was previously a third-class city. Cities that were previously fourth-, fifth- or sixth-class have the option of holding a mayoral primary, but it is not mandatory.
The top two vote-getters in the primary then move on to face each other in the general election in November.
Hartsock’s and Shurtleff’s entry into the mayor’s race also sets up an interesting dynamic in next year’s city commission race, as it creates two vacant seats on the body.
