Candidates trickle in during second week
Published 6:00 am Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Only two new candidates emerged in Lincoln County last weekfollowing an initial flurry of activity earlier in the qualifyingperiod for the 2007 state and county elections.
Incumbent District Five Supervisor and Board President GaryWalker, a Democrat, picked up his first challenger Thursday whenDonald R. Golmon qualified to oppose him as a Republican.
Don Smith qualified Friday to join incumbent Charles Ralph Smithand Kelly Porter in the race for Post One constable.
Additionally, there was one change in status involving acandidate. Circuit Clerk Terry Lynn Watkins said a mistake was madewhen Ellis Dave Chatmon qualified to seek the District Twosupervisor’s post. Chatmon was registered with the RepublicanParty, but is running as a Democrat.
“It was just a misunderstanding during registration,” Watkinssaid. “He came in Monday after seeing it in the newspaper and itwas corrected.”
Chatmon qualified to challenge incumbent Bobby Watts, whoqualified opening week, for the seat.
The change leaves sheriff’s candidate Terry Harper and Golmon asthe only Republicans in the Nov. 6 general election. There are noindependents.
Other candidates include:
* Sheriff: Democrats Steve Rushing, the incumbent; Lynn Boyteand B.W. Pitts and Republican Harper.
* Supervisor District One: Incumbent the Rev. Jerry Wilson.
* Supervisor District Three: Incumbent Nolan EarlWilliamson.
* Supervisor District Four: Incumbent Doug Moak, Eddie Brown andCharles Davis.
* Chancery Clerk: Democrats Tillmon Bishop, the incumbent, andMaxine McCoy Jones.
* Circuit Clerk: Incumbent Terry Lynn Watkins.
* Tax Assessor/Collector: Incumbent Nancy Jordan.
* Justice Court Judge Post One: Ralph Boone, Art Likens, ValerieShelby-Sterling and Trisha Jordan Weeks.
* Justice Court Judge Post Two: Carl Brown, Andrew Graham, ChrisKing and Ann Reeves.
* Coroner: Incumbent Clay McMorris.
* Constable Post Two: Incumbent Lavon Boyd.
* Superintendent: Incumbent Terry Brister.
The office of county surveyor has no candidates.
Qualifiers in races involving Lincoln and other countiesinclude:
* District Attorney, 14th Circuit Court District: IncumbentDewitt “Dee” Bates Jr.
* District 53 Representative: Incumbent Bobby Moak
* District 39 Senator: Incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith
Incumbent District 92 Rep. Dr. Jim Barnett, R-Brookhaven, hasnot qualified. He said he would announce his intentions regardingwhether to seek re-election on Jan. 22.
The qualifying period ends March 1. Primaries will be held Aug.7 with an Aug. 28 runoff, if necessary. The general election willbe held Nov. 6.