Come January, a new person will be wearing Lincoln County’s toplaw enforcement badge for the first time in 16 years.

Post One Constable James Wiley Calcote won the Democraticnomination Tuesday, knocking incumbent Sheriff Lynn Boyte out ofthe race for his fifth consecutive term. Complete but unofficialreturns show Calcote polled 4,990 votes, or 55 percent, to Boyte’s4,035, or 45 percent.

Calcote now faces Republican Charley Evans and Independentcandidate James Williams Jr. in the Nov. 4 general election.

Cheers went up in the courtroom Tuesday night when the finaltotals were announced.

“Oh Lord, I’m so happy I don’t know what to do,” said Calcote ashe was congratulated by supporters. “I’m just looking forward tothe next stage of the election.”

Boyte, who was among those to congratulate Calcote, said he wasproud of his service to Lincoln County.

“Winning four out of five elections is not bad,” said Boyte. “Idon’t like losing, but I never felt better about losing than I dotonight. We’ve done a lot of good things, and we’ve got the countyin good shape.”

Boyte, the longest-serving official elected countywide, concededthat in 16 years of law enforcement, “you’re bound to make somepeople mad.”

Of the upcoming transition, Boyte said, “we’ll have to see howit turns out once it goes off auto pilot.”

In the race to succeed Calcote as Post One constable, CharlesRalph Smith Jr. was the Democratic winner over “Don” Donald R.Smith.

Charles Smith got 2,470 votes, or 53 percent, to 2,213 , or 47percent, for Don Smith.

Donald Golman is the Republican nominee.

In the race for District Attorney District 14, Dewitt “Dee”Bates Jr. was the big winner in Lincoln County. Bates received5,967 votes, or 67 percent, to 2,928, or 33 percent, for Hilton R.Miller.