With no opponents for their respective offices, Lincoln CountyDistrict One Supervisor the Rev. Jerry Wilson, Coroner ClayMcMorris, Superintendent Terry Brister and County Surveyor Joe Byrdare in line to be re-elected following Thursday’s 5 p.m. qualifyingdeadline for this year’s elections.

Wilson, a former Brookhaven alderman; McMorris; and Brister willget second terms in office. Byrd will go in for a third term in theunpaid county office.

“I thank the Lord and give God praise,” an exuberant Wilson saidas the clock struck 5 p.m. “I thank the people of Lincoln Countyfor giving me a vote of confidence. This is the first time I’veever been unopposed.”

McMorris, who also smiled widely as the deadline passed, said hewas proud to be able to continue serving the county and the lack ofopposition tells him he is handling the job appropriately.

“It feels good because the people of Lincoln County have givenme the opportunity to serve again,” he said. “I respond to morethan 300 calls a year. That’s a lot of families I’ve been with atthe worst time in their life and hopefully provided some comfort.This has been an excellent ministry for me to be in.”

As the deadline neared, Brister said he felt he would beunopposed, but “I really didn’t know.”

“I’m just elated to serve another term and very humbled by it,”he said. “I appreciate the hard work of the administration andfaculty of the last four years. I attribute that with thissuccess.”

Circuit Clerk Terry Lynn Watkins was unopposed until onlymoments before the deadline, when Nicki McGraw, county payrollclerk, qualified to challenge her.

It is Watkins’ first challenge since she took office 12 yearsago. Watkins is seeking her fourth term. Both she and McGraw areDemocrats.

McGraw was one of six candidates to qualify for three offices onthe final day, boosting the number of candidates for county officeto 55 for 16 positions.

Democrat Rayborn Bowman and Michael Assink, a Republican,qualified to challenge incumbent District Five Supervisor GaryWalker, a Democrat.

Assink’s emergence makes the District Five supervisor’s officethe only campaign to feature both a Democratic and Republicanprimary Aug. 7. Republican Donald R. Golmon had filed his papersearlier in the qualifying period. Democrat Bob K. Smith is also inthe race.

Three Democrats, Pat H. McCullough, Mary Ann (Gray) Collins andCharles Thomas, expanded the field of candidates for Post TwoJustice Court judge to nine. Democrats Ricky Beavers, Carl Brown,Andrew Graham, Chris King, Ann Reeves and Republican Freddie Canonhave also qualified for the vacant office.

Incumbent Judge Judy Case Martin is not seeking re-election.

In a surprise development Thursday, Democrat David Robersonwithdrew his candidacy for Post Two constable. However, incumbentLavon Boyd remains in a campaign against fellow Democrats MikeMilholen and Robert “Bobby” Ratcliff.

Other candidates for office include:

* Sheriff: Incumbent Steve Rushing, Lynn Boyte, B.W. Pitts,Robert Berry and Gene “Bub” Simmons Jr.; Republican Terry Harper;and Independent James “Mando” Williams.

* Supervisor District Two: Incumbent Bobby J. Watts, Ellis DaveChatmon and Jerry E. Nix.

* Supervisor District Three: Incumbent Nolan Earl Williamson,Marley B. Bowman and Russell L. Laird.

* Supervisor District Four: Incumbent Doug Moak, Eddie Brown,Charles Davis, Jeff Fauver and Independent Earl H. Brown.

* Chancery Clerk: Incumbent Tillmon Bishop and Maxine McCoyJones.

* Tax Assessor/Collector: Incumbent Nancy Jordan and RitaWilkinson Goss.

* Constable Post One: Incumbent Charles Ralph Smith, Clint A.Earls, Kelly Porter and Don Smith.

* Justice Court Judge Post One: Ralph Boone, Carol Brewer, FrankLeggett, Art Likens, Valerie Shelby-Sterling and Trisha JordanWeeks.