jeff hines

Updated 5 p.m.

The stage is set for the next McCracken County Judge Executive race, with two candidates filing their letter of intent by today's deadline.

Kentucky’s 2nd District Senator Bob Leeper filed his candidacy statement this morning, and current Judge Executive Van Newberry filed at 3:25 p.m.

McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry is running for a third term, and will do so as an independent.

Newberry was a Democrat and says he has considered the party switch since 2010. He says county level officials should be nonpartisan. Newberry's party switch, at present, allows him to avoid a primary race against Democrat Jeff Hines.