The shenanigans seen on Tuesday’s initial filing deadline for the State Auditor’s position were not repeated on Friday’s new deadline for the August 8th primary elections. No Republican showed up to add his or her name to the list of candidates, meaning State Senator John Loudon of Chesterfield had no reason to withdraw and refile again in a bid to hold onto the coveted bottom position on the GOP ballot. There was an additional Democrat filing for the post: Darrell Wattenbarger of Columbia, bringing to three the number of Democrats in the race. Tuesday’s deadline was extended because of the last minute hijinks that saw candidates jockeying for the last spot on the ballot, which is believed to be a choice position.
