Candidates file for commissioner, sheriff and more in Phillips County

Phillips County Sheriff Scott Moran will conclude a 20-year career in law enforcement when his current term as sheriff expires following November's elections.

The news of Sheriff Moran's retirement comes following the first day for potential candidates for several positions in Phillips County to file for office.

As of last week, current Phillips County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Burt Peigneux and Deputy Jerry Lytle, both Republicans, have both filed for the sheriff position.

"I have decided not to seek a third term as sheriff," Sheriff Moran told the PCN. "There were many factors involved in making this difficult decision. It is my plan to serve out the remainder of my term ending this year at which time I will have been with the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office for over 21 years. I may be retiring from Law Enforcement, but not retiring, and looking forward to a new chapter in my life."

The position of Phillips County Sheriff is a four-year-term and Sheriff Moran won re-election in 2014 after running unopposed for the position.

Phillips County Clerk & Recorder, Surveyor/Auditor Marian Ereaux will also not be seeking reelection following this term. Ereaux began working for the county's Clerk and Recorder office in 2002 as Deputy Clerk and Recorder. She was first elected to her current position in 2010 and won reelection in 2014.

"I decided to retire the end of this term so my husband and I can travel more to visit family and friends,” Ereaux told the PCN. “We have six grandkids that are growing up fast and it will be great to attend some of their activities. I have a great staff to work with and it has been my honor to serve the people of Phillips County for the last 16 years. It has been a great experience but it is time for us to relax and enjoy ourselves.”

As of last week, Deputy Clerk and Recorder for Phillips County, Lynnel LaBrie, a Republican, has filed for election in the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder, a position which carries a four-year term.

The County Commissioner for Phillips County District B position is also up for election and thus far incumbent Commissioner Bruce Christofferson, and challengers Randy Shores and Darla Niebur, all Republicans, have filed for the June 5 Primary (none of the positions up for election have seen any Democratic candidates file for the Primary.) County Commissioner positions are six-year terms.

Thus far, candidates running unopposed for election in the upcoming Primary (besides Clerk and Recorder) are Jean Mavencamp for Treasurer / Assessor, a four-year term (she is running for her seventh, four-year term and has held the position since 1991); Darlene Kolczak for Superintendent of Schools, four-year term, a position she took over from Vivian Taylor when she retired in 2016; Edward A. Amestoy, incumbent, County Attormney, a four-year term, and Gayle Stahl, incumbent, Justice of the Peace (Non-partisan) a four-year term (Stahl won reelection in 2014 after an absence from the bench). Stahl has over 30 years experience as Phillips County Justice of the Peace.

Stay tuned to the PCN for more news and features on the June 5 Primary and November elections.