James K. (Jim) Payton of Washington has announced his candidacy for county commissioner in the 1st District on the Democratic ticket in the May primary.

Payton, 59, resides in Washington Township with his wife, Holly, and his grandson, Jadon. They have three adult children: Jeannie Owsley, Jessica Downey and Jeremy Payton. He is a 1966 graduate of Rockville High School, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English Bible from Cincinnati Bible Seminary and has completed 30 semester hours of graduate work at Anderson School of Theology. Payton is known as the voice of Bright Spots on the “Morning Shake Up” on WAMW.

Growing up in Parke County, Payton was surrounded with local politics. His grandfather, uncle and cousin all made successful bids for assessor and sheriff and his mother an unsuccessful bid for recorder.

Payton has been pastor of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Washington since 1987. He was one of the founders of Feed My Sheep, which was housed at Central Christian Church for 18 years, and currently directs the church choir. Payton is treasurer for the Mental Health Association of Daviess County, receiving an achievement award in 2001. Payton also substitute teaches at Washington junior and senior high schools.

Payton pastored churches around the Rockville and Marshall areas and in Mecca, Rosedale and Springport, all in Indiana, before receiving the call to Washington. Payton served eight years as caseworker for food stamps with the Parke County Department of Welfare and worked as assistant manager in two grocery stores and one restaurant.

Payton says, “I believe that my variety of experiences and years of working with people give me a good background to serve the citizens of Daviess County as county commissioner. I am looking forward to serving the citizens of our great county in this new capacity. I hope to bring a different perspective and voice to the county commissioners. I ask for your support and cherish your prayers.”