Four qualify for commissioner of District 4, seat formerly held by Tommy New

Four candidates will vie for the Jefferson County District 4 Commission seat left vacant by the death of Tommy New early this year. Corey Forrest, Jerry L. Taylor, William R. Toulson Jr. and Joseph A. Wheeler, all of Louisville, qualified as democrats. No republicans qualified.

This special election will be held in conjunction with the general election scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8

New's unexpected death in February left his seat vacant for several months until a special election could be held. Although the remaining commissioners vowed to take up his responsibilities and stated New's constituents would continue to have representation, the board did look for another option. 

"Currently, a commission seat vacated in the middle of a term can only be filled by a special election," Jefferson County Administrator Jerry Coalson explained.

"Special election dates are set by the General Assembly. The earliest special election date that allows the county to meet the requirements for advertising and holding an election for Commissioner New’s seat is during the November General Election.

"The Board of Commissioners has discussed and asked the county attorney to prepare a resolution requesting the introduction of local legislation in the General Assembly in January to allow an alternative means of temporarily filling a vacant commission seat. In other counties, the Superior Court Judge has been authorized to appoint someone to fill a vacancy. The Board will likely take up this issue and determine the details of their request in September or October this year."