In Tuesday’s primary elections, LincolnCounty voters will face a choice of where they want their vote tohave the most impact, according to county representatives of theRepublican and Democratic parties.

    “It always comes down to statewide versus local offices,” saidBonita Bullock, a member of the Lincoln County Republican executivecommittee, describing the implications of voting in either theRepublican or Democratic primaries.

    Bullock pointed to a number of statewide races she hopes willresult in increased Republican turnout, such as the lieutenantgovernor race, which will be decided Tuesday, and the governor’srace.

    John Roberts, chairman of the Lincoln County Republican executivecommittee, said the choice between local and state races is “ano-brainer.”

    “You cannot think the sheriff or superintendent race is moreimportant than statewide races like governor, lieutenant governor,and state treasurer,” Roberts said.

    Helen Funk, chairwoman of the Lincoln County Democratic ExecutiveCommittee, remains optimistic that voters will favor the DemocraticParty.

    “We have many candidates for the supervisor and justice court judgeraces, and voters will go local before statewide,” Funk said.”That’s the way it always works.”

    Despite the importance he attaches to statewide races, Roberts iscommitted to more local Republican candidates.

    “We got (Chancery Clerk) Tillmon Bishop to switch parties and (taxassessor-collector candidate) Michael Jinks to switch,” Robertssaid. “Soon, I’m going to have Republican supervisors running inevery district.”

    Funk pointed out that this year’s Democratic primaries willdetermine the ultimate winner in the races for supervisor DistrictTwo, supervisor District Four, constable Post One and LincolnCounty superintendent, because there are no Republican orindependent candidates seeking those positions.

    The primary pits Supervisor District Two incumbent Bobby J. Watts,seeking his fourth term, against challengers Jimmy Diamond and DonSmith.

    Doug Moak is also running for a fourth term as supervisor ofDistrict Four. He faces Charles Davis and C.E. “Eddie” Brown in theprimary battle.

    In the Post One constable race, Clint A. Earls and Bruce Smith arerunning against the one-term incumbent Kelly Porter.

    Terry Brister, incumbent Lincoln County superintendent, will try tostave off challengers Donald E. Case, Jason R. Case and Jay R.Smith. Brister is seeking re-election to a third term.

    Most other county races see at least one candidate in both parties,and often a full field of candidates in one or both primaries.

    Five candidates are ready to replace Cindy Hyde-Smith as theDistrict 39 state senator. Hyde-Smith is not seeking re-election in favor of her run forcommissioner of agriculture and commerce.

    Within the Republican party, three candidates are vying to take herplace: Bill Boerner, Sally Doty and David H. Nichols, II.

    In the Democratic primary, W.L. Rayborn and Michael Smith will faceeach other. Rayborn previously served as the District 39 senatorfrom 1979-1999 and ran for the office in 2003.

    In the Lincoln County chancery clerk race, there will be noRepublican opposition to three-term clerk Tillmon Bishop’s bid fora fourth term. Maxine McCoy Jones and Roger Dale Leggett arecompeting for the Democratic nomination.

    Incumbent Lincoln Circuit Clerk Terry Lynn Watkins, running for herfifth term as circuit clerk, faces primary opposition from JoshDavis. The Democratic candidate will face the winner of theRepublican primary, either Dustin Bairfield or Mike Walley.

    Watkins has been indicted on charges of embezzlement and pleadednot guilty.  Her trial isset to begin Jan. 9, 2012, well after the primary and November’sgeneral election.

    Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing is completing his first fullterm as county sheriff and seeking re-election.

    Mahundis Brice and Johnny Leggett are running against Rushing inthe Democratic primary. The winner will face the lone Republicancandidate, Gene “Bub” Simmons.

    The Democratic primary for Lincoln County tax assessor andcollector is crowded, with Becky Bartram, Rita Wilkinson Goss,Vewanna Peavy Nations and April Byrd Williford all running. TheDemocratic primary winner will challenge Michael Jinks, runningunopposed in the Republican primary, and Mavis Henderson Stewart,an independent candidate.

    There is no incumbent in the race after Nancy Jordan opted toretire this year.

    Three-term supervisor District Five incumbent Gary Walker isopposed in the Democratic primary by Dudley Nations and Benjie J.Smith. Gary Covington and Carroll Bruce Smith are the Republicanhopefuls for that position.

    Five candidates are competing in the Democratic justice court judgePost One primary: incumbent Ralph Boone, Willie L. Hill, Harold E.King, Joe Portrey and Charles Ralph Smith Jr.

    Boone is currently suspended following a Mississippi Supreme Courtfinding of improper conduct against Boone. Boone’s 90-daysuspension began in May and will conclude Aug. 17.

    The Democratic candidate will run against the Republican primarywinner: either Art Likens or Ed Thompson.

    Voters will select among Doyle Bratton, Carl Brown, Roger Martin,Terry Lane Nations and Martha Brister Robison in the Democraticprimary for justice court judge Post Two.

    Chris King is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

    Voters face a choice between three Democratic hopefuls forconstable Post Two, W. Lavon Boyd, Troy Floyd and Bobby Ratcliff;and the Republican candidates Kirby Ebbers and Alica GillWarren.

    In some primary races, the makeup of the November ballot is alreadydetermined.

    In the race for State House of Representatives District 92,Republican Becky Currie and Democratic Ken Dale Sullivan face noopposition and will run against each other in November’s generalelection.

    In the supervisor District One race, Democratic incumbent the Rev.Jerry Wilson will run against the Republican challenger DavidBowers in November.

    In the Supervisor District Three race, Democratic incumbent NolanEarl Williamson will face a general election challenge fromRepublican Howard Williams.

    Three candidates are running completely unopposed.

    Bobby Moak has served 28 years as the state representative forDistrict 53 and has no primary opposition and no Republicanopponent.

    Clay McMorris and Joe W. Byrd, Democratic candidates for coronerand surveyor respectively, face no opposition from eitherparty.