The field had grown to 14 in persons filing their candidacy for Russellville City Council 26 hours before the filing deadline.

The deadline for filing is today, Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 4:30 p.m. in the office of County Clerk Kenny Chapman.

Among those filing recently are incumbent councilwoman Marie Sweatt, former mayor/councilman Ken Smith and challengers Lannie McPherson and Joe Laird.

Sweatt joins four other incumbents, Russell Jones, Ken Barrett, Pat Bell and Howard Wren along with previously announced challengers Mike McCormick, Bill Decker, Jack Whipple, Chuck Phillips, Gene Zick and Mark Stratton

Now that more than 12 candidates have filed, a runoff primary will be held in May to reduce the field to 12 for the November general election.

State Rep. Sheldon Baugh (R) of Russellville will have opposition for his reelection bid in the fall. Arthur W. Green of Elkton has filed for the Democratic nomination. Unless they get primary opposition today, they will face each other in November.

State Sen. Joey Pendleton (D) of Hopkinsville remains unopposed for election in the Democratic primary, but as of Monday he has opposition in the general election election.

Tracy Hann, a Russellville-based consultant, filed his candidacy in Frankfort as a Republican.

Candidates for those offices must file by today with Secretary of State Trey Grayson.

Lewisburg High School graduate Alice Forgy Kerr has filed her candidacy for a full term in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the Republican nominee to fill the seat vacated when Gov. Ernie Fletcher moved from the U.S. House to the statehouse.