Douglas County Commissioner Nancy Thellman filed Friday morning to seek a second term in office.

“The job of a county commissioner isn’t just about roads and bridges any more. It’s about growing our community responsibly. It’s about jobs,” Thellman said in a news release. “It’s about human services and safety. It’s about public amenities. Being a county commissioner these days is really about building quality of life.”

Thellman is a Democrat who lives northeast of Lawrence, represents the county’s 2nd District, which includes North Lawrence, part of east and southeast Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City and most of eastern Douglas County. She is a Presbyterian minister and a former nurse, and her family operates a hay and vegetable production farm in Grant Township.

Thellman, a Lawrence High School and Kansas University graduate, was elected to the commission in 2008 when she defeated Republican David Brown. In her re-election announcement Thellman touted her four years of experience on the commission.

“I’ve done my best to govern by the principles on which I based my first campaign — responsible use of taxpayer dollars; open, honest and accessible government; a balanced approach to growth and environmental stewardship; and compassionate, comprehensive social services,” she said. “These are key elements to build a healthy and resilient community.”

Thellman is the fourth county official ahead of next Friday’s deadline to file for re-election after Sheriff Ken McGovern, a Lawrence Republican; Register of Deeds Kay Pesnell, a rural Eudora Democrat; and Commissioner Jim Flory, a Republican who represents the 3rd District of the commission, mostly the western half of the county.

If needed, a primary election for county offices is Aug. 7. The general election is Nov. 6.