[3/4/03]At least four people related to current or former Warren County elected officials are seeking the same or similar offices others in their families hold or have held.

Candidate-filing closed Saturday for county, district and state offices to be decided this fall. By then, 70 candidates had filed to qualify for Warren County offices and area legislative posts.

Of the seven who filed for candidacy for circuit clerk, three have parents or grandparents who either were or are circuit or chancery clerk.

Shelly Ashley-Palmertree, 33, is a daughter of Larry Ashley, who has been circuit clerk for 15 years and announced last year that he would retire with the December expiration of his current term. Ashley-Palmertree has been a deputy circuit clerk during Ashley’s entire tenure as circuit clerk.

“It’s been nice being able to work with my dad over the years,” Ashley-Palmertree said. “You develop a different kind of relationship in the work environment than you do just being at home.”

Gil Culkin, 49, is a son of George Culkin, who served several terms as circuit clerk before retiring in 1987. Gil Culkin worked for eight years as an investigator in the Warren County District Attorney’s Office. He is currently employed by Ameristar Casino.

Fred Sherard, 40, is a grandson of J. Gilland Sherard, who he said was chancery clerk for about 40 years between the 1920s to the 1960s. Fred Sherard works as an accountant on contract with a local business.

In another connection with county government, Fred Sherard’s brother, Randy Sherard, is the attorney for the Warren County Board of Supervisors.

Clyde Ellis, 36, is a son of the late John Edward Ellis, who was Warren County district attorney and circuit clerk. Clyde Ellis has been in private law practice for more than 10 years, all but one of those in his father’s Vicksburg law office.

“I helped my dad campaign” for political office from an early age, Ellis said.