Voters cast their ballots on Election Day. Photo by Abigail Shoyat | LINK nky contributor

This story originally appeared in the Jan. 19 edition of the LINK Weekly Reader.

As of the Jan. 5 filing deadline to run for office in Kentucky, 40% of House and Senate candidates are running unopposed.In Northern Kentucky as a whole, there are several local uncontested races:Uncontested race in Boone County: 

  • County Circuit Court Clerk: David Martin of Florence (Republican)

Uncontested races in Campbell County:

  • Circuit Clerk 19th District: Taunya Nolan Jack, California, Kentucky  (Republican)Newport Mayor: Thomas L. Guidugli of Newport (Nonpartisan)Highland Heights City Council: R. Alex Bramel (Nonpartisan)

Uncontested races in Kenton County: 

  • Commonwealth’s Attorney 16th district: Rob Sanders, Fort Mitchell (Republican)Circuit Court Clerk: John C. Middleton, Independence (Republican)Covington Mayor: Ron Washington (Nonpartisan)

Campbell County Clerk Jim Luersen said there was no concern over these uncontested races, because certain barriers tend to leave some primary races uncontested regularly.To run for circuit clerk, for example, a candidate must have passed an exam taken by Nov. 17. For a commonwealth attorney, one must have a law degree. “For a lot of people, it’s a sign of confidence from the other side,” Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe said of the uncontested races in her county. “That, or they couldn’t find someone to run.”Former Republican Kentucky Secretary of State, Trey Grayson, said he thinks the amount of uncontested races is an issue.“We need good people to run,” Grayson said. “It is a sacrifice to do it, but it’s rewarding. We need good people to run and hold people accountable. It keeps people on their toes when they have someone running against them in the primary or the general elections.”

Grayson said that when he had a challenger in 2007, he had to prove he was up to the task of being re-elected and that he would do a good job.“I admire everyone that runs. If you don’t run, you can’t win,” he said. “There are always improvements that can be made.”He also said voter turnout rises when there is a tightly contested race. “That‘s when you get more turnout — when it’s competitive,” Grayson said. “When there are uncontested races, people ask, ‘Why would I go out and vote?’”