SUMMIT COUNTY — It's an even-numbered year, so that means it's time to start thinking about another election season. Summit County Clerk Kathy Neel reminds local voters that Jan. 19 is the last day to affiliate with a party in order to participate in the primary caucus March 16.

In Summit County, there are a number of offices up for election this year, and Neel said the candidates will gather at the Old County Courthouse in Breckenridge at 10 a.m. on Jan. 13 to announce their candidacies.

The seat for county commissioner District 1 (Breckenridge/Upper Blue) is being vacated by Democrat Bob French. Current state Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Farmer's Korner) has announced his candidacy for the seat. No Republican challenger has yet emerged.

Other county offices up for election include the sheriff, coroner, assessor, county clerk & recorder, surveyor and treasurer. So far, no challengers to the incumbents have announced.

On the state level, Gibbs's state Senate District 16 seat will be up for grabs. Evergreen Republican Tim Leonard has announced his candidacy; no Democrats have done so yet.

For House District 56 — which includes Summit County — incumbent Christine Scanlan (D-Summit County) faces a challenge from Republican Debra Irvine, also from Summit County.

Eagle County's Ali Hasan, who challenged Scanlan in 2008 for HD56, has announced he will run as Republican for the state treasurer's office. He plans a formal announcement in Summit County Thursday at 2 p.m. at The Boatyard in Frisco.

Other state offices up for grabs in 2010 include governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, who was appointed by Gov. Ritter after Ken Salazar was named U.S. Interior Secretary, also faces election. Boulder Democrat Jared Polis, who represents Summit County in U.S. House District 2, is also up for re-election.



Correct earlier version. DA's office is not up for reelection and correct spelling of Debra Irvine.

Towns

Summit County municipal elections are set for April 6. In Breckenridge, the seats currently held by Dave Rossi, Jennifer McAtamney and Rob Millisor are up for grabs.

In Dillon, the mayor's seat is open, as are the council seats currently held by Don Parsons, John Younger and Mary Forsythe. Mayor Barbara Davis is term-limited.

In Frisco, the council seats held by Kent Willis, Woody Van Gundy and Bruce Fleet will come open.

Silverthorne Mayor Dave Koop is up for reelection after his first term in office. The seats held by councilmembers Kevin McDonald, Rosanne Shaw (first term) and Peggy Long (second term) are also up for reelection.