Three incumbent Lincoln County elected officials handilyretained their seats in Tuesday’s Democratic primaries.

Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop defeated Maxine McCoy Jones by amargin of 75 percent to 25 percent, with 7,021 for the incumbentand 2,246 for the challenger, according to unofficial finalresults.

“I just want to give the people of Lincoln County a countyoffice they can be proud of, and with the help of my staff I feelwe’ve done that,” said Bishop, who will be staying in office for athird term. “The main thing I want to say is thank you for hiringme back. Thanks for all the confidence you have in me to do thejob.”

Bishop said his next move is to make sure to take care of hisvoters like they had taken care of him.

“The next step is taking part of a day off to take my signsdown,’ he said. “There are a lot of people that have allowed me toput them up in their yards, and they have been too kind. Idefinitely don’t want to overstep my boundaries by leaving thesigns up, and I want to respect them like they’ve respectedme.”

He said he also plans to continue the work he and his employeeshave been working on for years.

“We’re going to work harder at making sure people that come inget what they need from the county government,” he said.

Circuit Clerk Terry Lynn Watkins also scored a decisive 75.01percent victory over challenger Nikki McGraw. Watkins garnered7,028 votes to 2,342 for McGraw.

Watkins said this election had been a little more stressful thanher past two.

“My last two elections, I ran unopposed,” said Watkins, who willstart her fourth term in office in 2008.

Watkins was quick to give the credit to her family for being asource of help and support.

“Of course I want to thank everyone who voted for me, but also Igive the credit to my wonderful family,” she said. “I haveliterally hundreds of wonderful friends who made this possible, aswell.”

Lincoln County Tax Assessor/Tax Collector Nancy Jordan also kepther seat by a 63 percent landslide over challenger Rita Goss.Jordan, who is in line for a third term, said this year’s6,010-3,491 victory had a different feel than the wins of pastyears.

“It feels wonderful. This year’s victory is particularly sweet,”she said. “This is the kind of margin I had hoped for last year,and I’m proud and thankful this year for the faith the voters putin me.”

And life doesn’t stop for an election, Jordan said. Wednesdaywill be another day at the office, only without the stress of apending election.

“Business as usual,” she said.

Bishop, Watkins and Jordan do not have any opponents in thegeneral election.