Candidates File for 2026 Elections in Howard County
The list of candidates who have officially filed to run for local offices in Howard County has been released. The filing period closed at noon on November 12.
In county-level races, several Republican incumbents and challengers have submitted paperwork, along with a few Democrats and Independents.
For County Judge, Brent Pinkerton has filed as a Republican.
County Clerk Keri Teague, Treasurer Taylor Stone, and Circuit Clerk Alana Miller and Jana Tallant are also running as Republicans.
Cindy Butler has filed for Assessor, and for Sheriff/Collector, Joey Davis will run as a Republican while Alex L. Gamble has filed as a Democrat.
For Coroner, Matt Smith and Alan Laxton have both filed as Republicans.
In the race for Justice of the Peace, filings include:
- Cohen D. Davis, District 1 – Republican
- Andy Hogg, District 2 – Republican
- Elizabeth D’Ann Rogers Henderson, District 3 – Republican
- Janet O’Neal, District 4 – Republican
- Jerry Harwell, District 5 – Republican
- Elizabeth McDaniel, District 6 – Republican
- Pamela Bohn, District 7 – Republican
- Don Marks, District 8 – Democrat
- Robert Tullis, District 8 – Independent
- John Reeder Raulerson, District 9 – Republican
- Juanita Jackson, District 9 – Democrat
In city races, Larry Dunaway has filed for Nashville City Mayor as a Republican, while Lauren Hoen has filed for City Clerk, also as a Republican.
Candidates for Nashville City Alderman include:
- Michael Timothy Ponder, Ward 1 Position 1 – Republican
- Susan Berruquin, Ward 1 Position 2 – Democrat
- Donna Harwell, Ward 2 Position 1 – Republican
- Tomekia Williamson, Ward 3 Position 1 – Democrat
- Khalid Benson, Ward 3 Position 2 – Democrat
- William E. Turley, Ward 4 Position 1 – Republican
- Sharon K. Gathright, Ward 4 Position 2 – Democrat
- Charles Pinkston, Ward 5 Position 1 – Republican
- Herbert Turley, Ward 5 Position 2 – Republican
- Kathy Combs, Ward 6 Position 1 – Republican
- Lynn Dyer, Ward 6 Position 2 – Republican
In Mineral Springs, Vera Marks has filed for Mayor as a Democrat.
For City Council, filings include Merles Jean Cheatham for Ward 1 Position 1, Dana Greenlee for Ward 2 Position 1, and Vanessa Hendrix for Ward 3 Position 1 — all Democrats.
School board filings include:
- Mineral Springs School Board: Sandra Kay Munson-Slaton (Zone 2), Robert Ray Hawkins Sr. (Zone 5), Barnado Thomas (Zone 6), and William Dixon (Zone 7).
- Dierks School Board: Laykon Graham (Position 1) and Justin Simmons (Position 2).
- Nashville School Board: Jerry Wilson (Zone 4) and David Hillard (Zone 3).