The incumbent Coles County sheriff will be able to forgo the Feb. 2 primary election and focus his attention on the November general election.

The sheriff’s position is the only Coles County office up for election next year that garnered more than one candidate.

Neither incumbent Sheriff Darrell Cox nor former Mattoon police officer Ed Johnson, a Democrat, will face an opponent in the Feb. 2 primary election. Monday was the last day state and county candidates could file for election.

“I want people to vote for me because I’m the best candidate for the job,” Cox said. “I want to run a positive campaign.”

Cox said his campaign against Johnson would be on merit, not deceptive tactics. He said his re-election committee has not discussed the general election, but Cox said he intends to run a similar campaign that allowed him to win a primary that featured two other Republican candidates.

Cox said whoever becomes sheriff will have to deal with fiscal challenges. He said improving the crime stoppers program and upgrading the standard operating manual are two of his goals, if re-elected.

He said he is optimistic about his chances for re-election, adding he still will proceed with caution.

Johnson could not be reached for comment.

On the state level, Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, will face Democratic challenger Dennis Malak, from Tuscola, in the general election.

Rose ran unopposed in the 2008 general election and has served in the Illinois House of Representatives since 2003.

Malak, 28, received his bachelor’s degree in political science at Eastern. He is working on his master’s degree in public administration at Eastern and has served as functions supervisor at Tarble Arts Center.

According to DennisMalak.org, Malak is described as a moderate Democrat, who favors fiscal conservatism.

Rose has helped Eastern get the Renewable Energy Center back on track and also served on the House committee that decided if there were grounds to impeach former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, will run unopposed in the primary and general elections. He has served in the Illinois Senate since 2003.

A variety of Republican candidates are vying for the vacant judge’s position in the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Coles County.

Charleston City Attorney Brian Bower, Coles County Assistant State’s Attorney Eric Neumann, Edgar County State’s Attorney Matt Sullivan and Danville attorney Frank Young will face off for the vacancy in the Feb. 2 primary election.

On the federal level, Rep. Tim Johnson, who represents the 15th Congressional District, will face David Gill, a Democrat and Bloomington physician, in the general election.

Gill has run unsuccessfully against Johnson in 2002 and 2006. Johnson, who is seeking his fifth consecutive term, ran unopposed in 2008.

Sen. Roland Burris’ seat is also open for election in 2010.

Rep. Mark Kirk, a Republican who represents the 10th Congressional district, and Illinois Treasurer Alex Giannoulias are considered the two likely candidates to compete for the seat in November.

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.