According to a classic song, one is the loneliest number.

Jonathan Blanton may discover just how true that lyric is, since he’s the only Democrat who has announced he’ll run this year.

Filing for county as well as state and national office begins Tuesday at noon. The 2-week filing period ends on March 30 at noon.

Blanton will run for the Cherokee County Council District 2 seat held by Republican incumbent Bailey Humphries.

Olin Huffman, who chairs the local Democrat Party, doesn’t expect a hectic filing period.

“Jonathan is the only one to announce so far, but I’m encouraging more (Democrats) to run,” Huffman said.

He’s holding out hope that a Democrat may challenge for a state House seat but he has no firm commitment.

While the Democrats hold out hope for more candidates to emerge, there’s no shortage of hopefuls on the Republican slate.

In fact, there are so many Republicans in some races, there’s a strong likelihood the race won’t be settled without a runoff, including the race for the District 2 county council seat where Jimbo Martin, Mike Fowlkes and Tom Harrill are expected to challenge Humphries.

There are also three candidates — Richard Burgess, Steven Mueller and Joel Hill — who’ll likely seek the Republican nomination for Sheriff.

In the other council races, incumbent Charles Mathis, who recently changed affiliation to the GOP, will likely face Terry Medley in the primary; while no candidate has announced to challenge recently-elected Tracy McDaniel.

In the race for coroner, incumbent Dennis Fowler will meet Glenn Fuller in the GOP primary.

While at the courthouse, no candidates have announced they’ll challenge incumbent Clerk of Court Brandy McBee, Treasurer Jackie Williams or Auditor Merv Bishop. Probate Judge Josh Queen also may face no opposition.

Speaking of probate judge, that office has the second-highest filing fee of $2,535.60 — $92 less than $2,627 needed to run for sheriff.

If you want to run for auditor, you must pay $1,974.72. Council candidates shell out the least amount of money, only $418.68 to file for the District 2,5 or 7 seat.

GOP candidates can call party chairman Steven Blanton to set up a time to pay the filing fees. Those candidates who wait until the last 72 hours can pay their filing fees at the local Republican Party headquarters on East Floyd Baker.

School Board

Candidates interested in running for a seat on the Cherokee County School Board of Trustees may begin filing for the seats on May 28, 2010. Seats in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 will be up for reelection this year. The election will be held on August 10, 2010.

School board members Mike Ellis (District 1), Barry Bailey (District 3), Amanda Knowles (District 5) and Lindley Auton (District 7) are up for re-election.

The 2-week filing period will open at noon on May 28 and close at noon on June 11. The filing fee is $200.

Candidates should bring their Voter Registration card and Driver’s License with them to file.

Candidates will file by appointment at the Cherokee County Election Commission office located at 118 Administrative Drive in Gaffney. The Commission is located directly between the 911 office.

Candidates may call 487-2559 or 487-5386 to make an appointment.