ALFRED — Yes, its true that county and state elections are more than a year away, and that the paperwork for candidates seeking their party’s nomination won’t be available for a while. 

That isn’t deterring some folks from declaring their intentions — particularly those in the running for Governor of Maine. Already, a slew of folks have said want Maine’s top job.

But  a few folks running for county and Legislative offices in the June 12 primary are starting to file their intentions — and there’s already a primary race for one county seat — the York County Registry of Deeds.

Seeking the Democratic nod in the June primary for Register of Deeds are former Biddeford City Councilor Bobby Mills and York County government employee Rachel Sherman.

Mills registered his intentions with the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices on June 8. Mills was obliged to give up his council seat earlier this year when he moved from one Biddeford ward to another.  

Sherman has been employed by York County government for a number of years,  first in the county commissioner’s office and for the last several years in the office of the York County District Attorney. She is president of her union local. Sherman registered with the ethics commission on Aug. 23.

The current longtime Register of Deeds, Democrat Debra Anderson, is retiring at the end of her term, which expires Dec. 31, 2018.

So far, no Republicans have registered with the ethics panel for the office of deeds register.

As for the Maine Legislature, Republican James Booth, who ran unsuccessfully for the Maine Senate some years ago registered his intent to seek his party’s nomination to House District 10 back in April. The current representative, Wayne Parry, also a Republican, is serving his fourth term and is term-limited as a representative. 

Booth came under fire during the 2016 campaign  for an email he sent regarding Justin Chenette, who was running for a seat in the Maine Senate. Booth, who later apologized, was chairman of the York County Republican Committee at the time. The York County Republican Committee website lists Jim McCarthy of Lyman as the county chairman for 2017 and 2018. District 10 includes Arundel, Dayton and part of Lyman.

In House District 19, which is part of Sanford, Republican incumbent Matthew Harrington has registered his intent to seek re-election.

And in House District 5, which includes North Berwick and Berwick, Noah Cobb has registered as unenrolled.

According to the commission’s website, candidates for Governor, the Legislature, and county offices must register and file campaign finance reports with the Ethics Commission. Candidates should appoint a treasurer and register with the Commission before raising or spending any funds, the commission advises.

Other county offices coming up for election in 2018 are three county commission seats currently held by Sallie Chandler, Richard Dutremble and Marston Lovell; York County Sheriff, held by William King; York County District Attorney, held by Kathryn Slattery and York County Treasurer, held by Frank Wood.

All elected county offices are four-year terms.

As for that race for governor? Two of the 10 candidates who have registered to seek the Democratic nod live in York County — Adam Cote registered April 1, Mark Eves on July 14.

None of those who have registered with the ethics commission as Republican, Green Independent or Libertarian candidates for governor live in York County.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].