Incumbents dominated the first day of candidate qualifying for county office elections, but Thursday’s activity began to set thestage for some interesting contests later this year.

In all, 22 people Thursday put their names on the Lincoln County office party primary ballot. That was a little less than in 1999,said Lincoln County Circuit Clerk Terry Lynn Watkins.

“Four years ago, we had 26 to qualify on the first day,” Watkins said.

Watkins said there was flurry of qualifying when her office opened shortly before 8 a.m.

“That was our busiest time,” she said. “By 8:30, 14 people had qualified.”

In countywide race qualifying, incumbent Post 1 Constable Wiley Calcote tossed his hat in the ring to run against Sheriff Lynn Boyte. Calcote is completing his third term as constable while Boyte is seeking a fifth term in the county’s top law enforcement position.

Klareenca (Kris) Hutcherson, of 648 Highway 583, also qualified to run for sheriff. She is the only Republican candidate so far in any of the county races.

Calcote’s decision leaves the Post 1 Constable position up forgrabs. Donald R. (Don) Smith, of 2153 New Sight Dr., was the only candidate to sign up Thursday to seek that office.

In the county superintendent of education race, Jason R. Case, the school district’s prevention-intervention program director, qualified against incumbent Perry Miller. Miller qualified to seek a second term in that office.

Also Thursday, Brookhaven Ward 1 Alderman Dorsey Cameron Jr. andAlex H. Robinson Jr., of 986 Dillon Trail, qualified in the race for District 1 Supervisor.

Vedia Givens was appointed to the office following the death of her husband and long-time District 1 Supervisor Cliff Givens last year. She has not indicated any plans to run for election this year.

In other supervisor race qualifying, Clarence Edwards, of 1814 Brignall Road, and Johnny Warren Womack, of 2289 New Sight Dr.,signed up to face incumbent District 2 Supervisor Bobby J. Watts.Watts, like other current board members, is seeking a second term as supervisor.

Douglas Falvey, 1623 Falvey Road, qualified later Thursday to challenge incumbent Gary Walker in District 5. Incumbent District 3 Supervisor Nolan Earl Williamson and incumbent District 4 Supervisor W.D. “Doug” Moak qualified for re-election Thursday but so far do not have any opponents for their respective offices.

Several other incumbent county office-holders qualifiedThursday. They include:

* Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop

* Circuit Clerk Terry Lynn (Case) Watkins

* Tax Assessor-Collector Nancy Reeves Jordan

* Coroner Clay McMorris

* Post One Justice Court Judge Judy Case Martin

* Post Two Justice Court Judge B.J. Price

* Post Two Constable W. Lavon Boyd

No other candidates qualified for those offices. Also, no one has qualified for the unpaid office of county surveyor.

Voters this year will also making their legislative office choices for House District 92 Representative, House District 53 Representative and Senate District 39, and 14th Circuit Court District District Attorney. Candidates for those offices qualify at state party headquarters.

A spokesman for the state Democratic Party said candidates’ names would not be released until candidates are certified after March 1. A state Republican Party spokesman said there are no qualifiers in those races so far.

The qualifying deadline is Feb. 28.

The first party primaries are scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 5.Party primary runoffs, where necessary, will be held Tuesday, Aug.26.

Party primary winners will go on to face each other in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.