Blackburn said she wants to continue to be a "public servant."
"I don't have a political or financial gain that I'm running on," the incumbent said.
One of the many issues facing the public this election cycle is the direction of the county budget.
Budget
Blackburn said she supports more tightening of the budget, while Ashcraft contends that the county's financial plan remains in good shape.
"I think the budget is fine right now. They don't really have any problems with it right now that I know of," Ashcraft said. "The county is running fine . After this tax, it's got money. They just need to spend it wisely."
Ashcraft added that he would not support repealing the recent 4 percent insurance premium tax, explaining that the extra money would have to come from somewhere. But the candidate said he would not raise taxes unless the county had to.
"There is always that possibility," he said.
Meanwhile, Blackburn expressed support of more tightening in the budget with the goal of eventually repealing the new insurance tax.
"This year there were a lot of additions added back into the budget that had recently been taken out before the insurance premium tax, and with the insurance premium tax in effect, the promise to the citizens of Clark County was to build a surplus of $1 million, and that is what that money was intended for," she said.
Blackburn explained that a tighter budget would mean reducing expenditures that pull from the contingency but not expenditures associated with the county's priorities. The candidate said she also opposes tax increases.
"I haven't voted for a tax increase yet, and I just believe we can live in our budget, and we don't have to raise taxes and put more stress on our city and county residents," she said.
Blackburn added that money set aside in the fiscal court's Clark County Community Foundation Fund should be spent only on charitable and educational purposes.
"That's what that money was set out for, and I believe strongly in my heart that is where that money needs to continue to stay," she said, later questioning the recent use of funds to help purchase a fire truck.
Ashcraft said a fire truck purchase was an appropriate use. But he said about the funds: "I think they should leave it alone as much as possible because once it's used up, it's gone."
Growth
In terms of regulating the county's growth, Blackburn said Clark County Fiscal Court already maintains representation on the Winchester-Clark County Industrial Development Authority and remains involved with the comprehensive plan.
However, the candidate said she wasn't sure if the county should change its level of involvement.
Meanwhile, Ashcraft said he supports more industrial recruitment.
"We need to get more people in, and we'll get more taxes in," he said. "We definitely need more jobs in Clark County."
Government merger
As some in local politics have become increasingly interested in considering a merger between the city and the county, both candidates for 5th District magistrate have expressed opposition to a merger for now.
Ashcraft said the city and county should maintain a close relationship. But he added: "I don't think they should merge or anything like that I think they should work together."
Blackburn indicated that she would be interested in looking at a merger study, but cited efforts in other communities that have failed.
"I'm not for merger. I've said that from day one since I've been in office," Blackburn said. She explained that a merger could require county residents to pay more in taxes or might cause the county to be left out of government decisions.
"Just because I don't believe in merger, does not mean I don't think the city and county should work together," the candidate said, noting that the two entities share several services such as the Generations Center.
"Those services supply everyone. It doesn't just cover the city, it also covers the county. They should work together. I'm not for pulling out there's a bunch of them that are right now, but I'm not," she said.
Ashcraft and Blackburn are facing off in the Nov. 7 general election. The 5th District includes Pichem, Goodes, South Park and Fairfax.
