The deadline to declare a candidacy for the May 2 primary was noon Friday.

One reported candidate's aspirations were clipped short and several incumbents now face challengers.

Robert Conley fully intended to run against county commissioner Avis Gunter for the southern district seat. Born and raised in Claypool, too, he paid the incumbent a courtesy call weeks ago.

He scheduled and reported for an interview with the Times-Union. He told relatives, friends and associates of his intentions. He was ready to hit the road with his campaign.

Conley's name does not appear as a candidate.

On Feb. 14 he filed a statement of organization and designation of principal committee (form 4604) which names him as a candidate, gives his financial committee a title and names a treasurer. The statement of organization does not make him a candidate, only a declaration of candidacy (form 46439) can do that.

This is Conley's first run at public office. He picked up forms, filled them out and went back to the county clerk's office to file.

"I had several forms there," he said. "I asked a gal at the counter if this was the form I needed. She said 'yes' and asked me if I wanted a copy. I said 'Sure.' I thought I was a candidate."

The organization form is stamped Feb. 14, 9:25 a.m. That form needs to be filed but it doesn't get Conley on the primary ballot.

"When someone comes in with forms and asks 'Is this the right one?' We don't know what they mean to do instead," said County Clerk Sharon Christner Friday afternoon.

When it was suggested Conley seek the office under a political party other than Republican, with a June 30 deadline to file, he said, "Never."

The following candidates will appear on the May 2 primary election ballot and are Republican unless otherwise indicated.

Judith Snipes, Warsaw, is running for county recorder.

James Bumbaugh, Pierceton, has filed as a Democrat candidate for the sheriff's office.

Christy Carpenter, Claypool, is running for southern district county commissioner.

Stephanie Esenwein, North Webster, and Janice Williams, Pierceton, have both filed for the Tippecanoe Township assessors office.

Carolyn Wallen has withdrawn her name as a Jackson Township Trustee candidate. She is filing for that township's advisory board instead.

Gwendolyn Ostrom, Claypool, seeks the Jackson Township trustee's seat.

Other trustee candidates are Thomas Reiff, Leesburg, for Tippecanoe; Linda Egolf, Claypool, for Clay; and Gary Sponseller, Etna Green, for Etna.

New candidates for township advisory board positions are: Etna - Patrick J. Morr (D) and Anthony Tribalski Jr., both of Etna Green; Franklin - Theresa Alber, Claypool; Jackson - Marcia Dierks, Sidney, David M. Metzger, North Manchester, and Carolyn Wallen, Claypool; Lake - Paul Sibray (D) and Mark A. Harman, both of Silver Lake; Plain - Dan Gast, Warsaw; Prairie - Jeff Shaw and Raymond Truex (D), both of Warsaw; Tippecanoe - Thomas W. Williams and James. M. Rhodes, both of Pierceton, and Steve Ward, North Webster; Van Buren - Stanley Wuthrich, Syracuse; Washington - Charles W. See, and Roger S. Thomas, both of Pierceton; and Wayne - Joshua McNeal (D), Warsaw.

Bob Morrison, Warsaw, withdrew his candidacy as precinct committeeman for 1-2. New precinct candidates are: William Stephen Fiedeke, Pierceton, Monroe; Karen S. Grady, Syracuse, TC5; Robert W. Snider, Winona Lake, WY1; Sue Ann Mitchell, Warsaw, TI3; Mark Grady, North Webster, TI2; and Cassius Alan Rovenstine, Atwood, PR2.

Filing as new at-large state convention delegates are Madge J. Harman, Claypool; Laurie Renier, Warsaw; and Steven Haines (D), also of Warsaw. Sue Ann Mitchell, Warsaw, filed for District 3 and Tyler Haines, Warsaw, filed for District 9.

Jason Thomson of Pierceton is a candidate for the Whitko School Board's District 1 and Gordon "Jim" Hayes Jr, South Whitley, is a Whitko candidate for District 3. District 2 incumbent Pete Mitchell is unchallenged.

A complete list of candidates will be published prior to the May 2 primary. [[In-content Ad]]