An interesting ballot scenario will play out in Russell County in November.  Among the elections for Governor/Lt. Governor/Attorney General/House of Delegates, Russell County will be having two special elections for constitutional officers.

The Democrat treasurer of Russell County retired in May after many years of service.  Similarly the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Mike Bush (D), was appointed to a Juvenile & Domestic Relations judgeship for the 29th District in April.  Following this, former blogger Brian Patton (D) of Dickenson County, whom had served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney under Bush, was named as interim Commonwealth’s Attorney after Bush left office by the circuit court.  Patton had relocated to Russell County several weeks before the appointment.

On last Friday, the Russell County Republicans nominated former Russell County Circuit Court Clerk Dollie Compton, whom lost her 2007 re-election bid by 451 votes to the Democrat challenger, to be the Republican Treasurer nominee.  Also nominated was her son Nick Compton to be the Republican nominee for Commonwealth’s Attorney.  Both Dollie, who also is an attorney, and Nick presently work for Buchanan County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tamara Neo (R).

Also in the race are an independent candidate for Treasurer, Sheryl Taylor, who was appointed by the circuit court to be interim treasurer, but lost the fight for the Democrat nomination to Board of Supervisors Member Billy Wampler of Castlewood.  According to the SBE, Jay Steele of Lebanon has also filed for Commonwealth’s Attorney as an independent.  Patton did receive the Democratic nomination to run for Commonwealth’s Attorney.

It should be an interesting race.  This might be the first, or at least a rare time, in history that a mother and son have been running for offices at the same time.  It probably will make for some media coverage.  The local political climate of Russell County is Democratic.  All Constitutional Offices and Board of Supervisors members are Democrats.  It will be interesting to see if the Republicans can cut into that Democratic rule.

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