Five more enter race for sheriff's seat

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
With one Republican candidate already declared for the upcoming sheriff's race, five Democrats joined the fray Saturday on the party's first official day for qualifying.
Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Brian Hamilton said that five men qualified for the sheriff's race, two qualified for the coroner's race and one person entered the race for school board.
The five to qualify so far for the Democratic nominee for sheriff are former Russellville Assistant Police Chief Robert Pace, Phil Campbell Police Sgt. Terrell Potter, Red Bay Police Lt. Mike Franklin, Russellville Police Capt. Shannon Oliver and Russellville businessman Scott Seal.
The two to qualify for the coroner's race were former Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director John James and current coroner Elzie Malone, who operates Pleasant Bay Ambulance Service in the county.
Shannon Oliver, of Belgreen, qualified to run for the Franklin County School Board District 4 seat.
No one submitted papers for the District 2 school board seat during the first day of qualifying.
Leighton police chief and Russellville resident Ray Hayse previously qualified to run for sheriff on the Republican ticket.
Candidates may qualify to enter any of the races until 5 p.m. on April 2, when qualifying ends.
The Franklin County Times will run candidate announcements for those who submit them.
Party primaries will be held on June 1.