Candidates across Drew County have filed for local offices ahead of the 2026 election cycle, with several incumbents and new faces officially entering the races.
As of November 10, filings include a mix of Republican, Independent, and Democratic candidates seeking county and municipal positions.
For County Judge, Jessie Griffin and Michael Owens have filed as Republicans, while Robert Akin has entered the race as an Independent.
In other county offices, Stephanie Chisom filed as a Republican for County Clerk, Beverly Burks filed as an Independent for Circuit Clerk, Charles Searcy filed as a Republican for Treasurer, Cheri Adcock as a Republican for Assessor, and Doug Harton as a Republican for Surveyor. Charles Dearman also filed as a Republican for Coroner.
The race for Sheriff has drawn multiple candidates, including Independents Larry Smith and Jerome Perez, along with Tim Nichols, who filed as a Republican.
For Quorum Court, filings include Independents Frank Appleberry (Position 8), Joe Williams Jr. (Position 7), and Republicans Ben Higginbotham (Position 2), Roger Harris (Position 3), Craig Kaminski (Position 4), Steven Pigott (Position 6), Donna Usry (Position 5), and Zachary Hill (Position 9).
In municipal filings, three Democrats—Deborah West, Marvin Hopson Sr., and Charles Saffold—have filed for Wilmar City Council positions.
Several Constable candidates have also entered the races, including Republicans John Beatty (Collins), Steven Sturgis (Saline), Jerald Clarke (Springhill), Scott Chapman (Veasey), Michael Frisby (Cominto), Ronald Shane Hale and Beau Brantley (both Marion), and Jessica Moore (Clear Creek).
In the local school board races, Keith Wells Sr. and LeAnne Burch have filed as Independents for positions on the Monticello School District Board, while Bruce Hackett has filed as an Independent for a seat on the Drew Central School Board.
