If anything is going to stop him from running for office in2011, it’s not going to be cancer.

Lincoln County Post One Constable Kelly Porter joined 11 otherlocal politicians at the government complex Tuesday for the 8 a.m.rush on the first day of qualifying for office, filling out thepaperwork to make his second campaign for constable official. Hishead was shaved clean and his skin was a little pale, but he wasconfident that his lymphoma would not derail his plans to continuepatrolling Lincoln County as an elected law enforcer.

“I’m a young man, and I look forward to serving in this officefor a long time,” said Porter, 29. “I’ve had my first treatment,and I’ve got to go to Jackson once a month until August for therest of them. But that won’t get in the way of my duties asconstable.”

Porter was one of nine incumbent officials and three challengerswho got an early start on qualifying for office, a period that willextend until March 1. With almost every district-based andcountywide office up for grabs in the 2011 election, Lincoln Countyis most likely looking at a busy, busy election season thisyear.

“We always have a little rush on the first day. We’ll haveseveral people come in by the end of the week,” said Lincoln CountyCircuit Clerk Terry Lynn Watkins. “The first week starts off, thenwe always have a little lull and by the end of qualifying we’llpick back up again.”

After one hour qualifying on Tuesday, four supervisors, bothconstables, the sheriff, coroner and one justice court judge hadsigned up to try for re-election, while two supervisor challengersand one new tax office candidate had made their campaigns official.All 12 were Democrats.

Other incumbents qualifying by 9 a.m. Tuesday included DistrictOne Supervisor the Rev. Jerry Wilson, District Two Supervisor BobbyWatts, District Three Supervisor Nolan Williamson, District FiveSupervisor Gary Walker, Post Two Constable Lavon Boyd, SheriffSteve Rushing, Coroner Clay McMorris and Post Two Justice CourtJudge Ralph Boone.

The first man on the scene was Watts, who arrived at the circuitclerk’s office at 7:45 a.m.

“I’m the early bird anyway. I want to get it and get going,”Watts said. “I’m very interested in the county business and deeplyconcerned about our roads. I love what I’m doing.”

The first challenger of the year was Don Smith, a salesman withJack Morris Propane, who will challenge Watts for the right torepresent the northeastern slice of Lincoln County assupervisor.

“I’ve waited for several years to do this, and I think the timeis right,” said Smith, who’s run for constable in the past. “I wantto see what I can do to bring more business in here. We justhaven’t seen many businesses coming in here.”

Benjie Smith, a construction worker with Oddee SmithConstruction, Inc., said timing was also a factor in his decisionto challenge Walker in District Five.

“Gary and I are friends … he’s been in there 12 years, and Ifeel like it’s time for a change,” Smith said. “Most of my lifeI’ve done construction, I’ve owned my own business and I feel likeI’m qualified for the job.”

Job qualification was also a reason mentioned by April ByrdWilliford, an employee in the Lincoln County Tax Office, who willrun for her boss’s position of tax assessor/collector.

“I’ve worked there for 10 years and I know the office in andout,” she said. “I want to serve the people of Brookhaven andLincoln County.”

Williford will have to face a challenge by Brookhaven City ClerkMike Jinks, who has already announced his intention to run for thetax office. Jinks was not present to sign his papers early Tuesdaymorning.

It remains unclear if current Tax Assessor/Collector NancyJordan will run again.