The new sheriff in town is Wiley Calcote.

The Democrat became the newest countywide elected officialTuesday with his victory over Republican Charley Evans andIndependent candidate James Williams, Jr. Calcote captured justover 56 percent of the vote total, according to complete butunofficial returns.

“It’s been a long, hard race. I’m glad we were successful init,” said Calcote as he was surrounded by family members, friendsand other well-wishers.

According to election night totals, Calcote received 7,172votes, or 56.19 percent, to 4,945 votes, or 38.74 percent, forEvans. Williams placed third with 475 votes, or 3.72 percent.

Calcote earned his spot in the general election Tuesday afterdefeating incumbent Sheriff Lynn Boyte in the Democratic Partyprimary runoff on Aug. 26. Boyte will wrap up his fourth term atthe end of the year.

Calcote, who will complete his third term as Post One Constableat the end of December, thanked God and expressed appreciation tohis supporters for his victory. He said he is looking forward togetting started as sheriff in January.

“We’re going to keep everything pretty well running the samewith it,” Calcote said about department operations.

Calcote, 43, said he hoped to advance some programs within thedepartment and do some restructuring. He also indicated thepossibility of some personnel changes, but he did notelaborate.

“I haven’t finalized any of that yet,” Calcote said.

On a night that featured no upsets in other countywide races,Tax Assessor-Collector Nancy Jordan was elected to her second termand Coroner Medical Examiner Clay McMorris to his first full term.Other countywide officials – Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop, CircuitClerk Terry Lynn Watkins and County Surveyor Joe Byrd – wereunopposed in the general election.

The Democrat Jordan defeated Republican challenger Dan Wallaceby a margin of 9,199, or 72.07 percent, to 3,293, of 25.80 percent.Jordan said the victory was “wonderful” and that she was lookingforward to her next term.

“I’m well-pleased with the turnout and very grateful to thepeople of Lincoln County for putting their trust in me for anotherfour years,” Jordan said.

For McMorris, Tuesday’s victory was his second in two years.

McMorris was appointed as coroner in April 2002 followinglong-time Coroner Morris Henderson’s retirement and ran unopposedin a November 2002 special election to fill the remainder of theterm. McMorris had been deputy coroner since 1995.

Last night, the Democrat McMorris defeated Republican challengerCarolyn Greer Welch by a margin of more than 5-1. McMorris garnered10,540 votes, or 82.58 percent to 1,937, or 15.17 percent forWelch.

“It feels good to be where we are right now,” McMorris said. “Iappreciate all the people’s support for allowing me to continue toserve them in this job.”