Elections

Linda Armstrong, district judge of the 53rd Judicial District since 1998, announced her resignation Monday morning.

Armstrong withdrew from the judicial race in the 2014 Election just before the filing deadline in January, citing health issues. She said at that time that she didn’t know if she would serve the remainder of her term, and in Monday’s statement, she reiterated those concerns.

Her last day on the bench will be March 16, and the decision for replacing her would fall to Gov. Steve Beshear after a complicated judicial process.

With the deadline to file for the 2014 election quickly approaching, only a few new candidates have emerged and a few positions remain unopposed.

The last day to file in most races is Tuesday, but candidates in the non-partisan Shelby County Board of Education, Simpsonville City Commission and Soil and Conservation Board races don’t have to file until August.

The 2014 Kentucky legislative session begins Tuesday, and although 137 bills already have been filed, some familiar story lines figure to be developed during this 60-day session.

In extended, even-numbered years, the longer session always seems to be headlined by the setting of the state budget, but state Sen. Paul Hornback (R-Shelbyville) said he foresees that there also will be time for those old familiars: gambling, health care, educational and state pension reform.

With less than three weeks left before the deadline to file to run in the 2014 Primary Election, it is beginning to look as if the top people in city and county government may return to office without opposition.

Neither Shelby County Judge-Executive Rob Rothenburger, a Republican, nor Shelbyville Mayor Tom Hardesty, a Democrat, has opposition – at least so far.

Hardesty, who has been mayor since 2003, said he has not had any competition since he was elected.