Filing Begins For Party Primaries

Candidates for county, township and quorum court district offices can begin filing for the May 20 party primaries today.

The filing period begins at noon today and ends at noon March 3. In Washington County, filing will be done in the County Courthouse in Fayetteville. In Benton County, filing will be done in the County Administration Building in Bentonville or the County Clerk's Office in Siloam Springs.

At A Glance

Primary Election

The 2014 preferential primary election is set for May 20. Candidates for county, township and quorum court positions can file for the party ballots from today through March 3 in the County Clerk’s Office. Positions available include:

• County Assessor

• County Circuit Clerk

• County Clerk

• County Coroner

• County Judge

• County Sheriff

• County Surveyor

• County Tax Collector

• County Treasurer

• Justice of the Peace

• Constable

Source: Benton County Clerk’s Office

"Filing will be in Bentonville and Siloam Springs, but not in our office in Rogers due to a planned move," said Benton County Clerk Tena O'Brien. "Both parties will be set up in the Quorum Courtroom on the third floor for candidates to pay their fees and get their paperwork done. The candidates will then bring their papers down to the clerk's office on the second floor to file."

John Carr, chairman of the Republican Party of Benton County, said the party will be set up at the Administration Building from noon to 4:30 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to noon March 3 to accept filing fees and assist candidates. At other times through the filing period, candidates who need to file can call Carr at 479-283-7753.

Mike Brown, chairman of the Democratic Party of Benton County, said he's heard from a number of potential candidates.

"We have a lot of interest in Benton County this year," Brown said.

The Democratic Party also will set up at the Administration Building the first and final days of the filing period. Brown said he hopes to be ready to assist candidates by 10 a.m. today and from 8 a.m. to noon March 3. Anyone with questions at other times during the filing period can call Brown at 479-899-6068.

Washington County Clerk Becky Lewallen said candidates will file in a single location.

"We will be filing here in the Washington County Courthouse," Lewallen said. "Both parties are coming to set up here."

Tyler Clark, with the Democratic Party of Washington County, said he expects to be busy the week of filing. He said anyone needing assistance can call him at 479-841-7279.

"I expect we'll have a heavy flow the first day, then people will trickle in through the week and the last day is usually very intense as well," Clark said.

Lance Johnson with the Republican Party of Washington County said this year is his first time to be involved with the party's filing process.

"We've got very good activity, we've had a lot of interest," Johnson said. "I think we're going to have a good slate of candidates."

Johnson said anyone needing assistance during the filing period can call him at 479-877-0454.

NW News on 02/24/2014

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