Democrat and Republican face off for Monroe County clerk position

Two candidates are running for Monroe County clerk in the upcoming November 3 General Election, according to idsnews.com. Democrat Tree Martin-Lucas and Republican Julie Hays will compete for the position that handles documents like marriage licenses, child support, small claims, and voter registration.

Martin-Lucas has eight years of experience in the clerk’s office as chief deputy clerk and election supervisor, plus 12 years in administrative work at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. She emphasized her familiarity with the office and aims to ensure the clerk’s office is welcoming, organized, and fair.

Her campaign focuses on secure elections, accurate court records, and a solutions-focused approach. She plans to spend her first month in office identifying and fixing weaknesses in the office’s operations.

Julie Hays, the Republican candidate, is a Bloomington native with family roots in Monroe County spanning three generations. She has nearly 20 years of experience working as a quality control inspector for Cook Medical, a local medical device company.