Officials hope for strong Tuesday turnout

Published 7:00 pm Sunday, November 6, 2011

With good absentee voting numbers, countyofficials and party leaders hope for a strong turnout in Tuesday’sgeneral election.

    As of Friday, more than 700 absentee ballots had been collected bythe circuit clerk’s office. That has been no surprise to CircuitClerk Terry Lynn Watkins.

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    “Governor elections generally have higher numbers,” Watkinssaid.

    Watkins also expects the three constitutional amendments on theballot to drive up turnout numbers – Initiative 26 inparticular.

    “Twenty-six is the one that has a lot of people talking,” Watkinssaid.

    Initiative 26 would amend the state constitution to definefertilized embryos as persons.

    Lincoln County Democratic Party Chairwoman Helen Funk agreed theinitiatives should bring in voters, but also said she remainscautious.

    “You really never know until the election,” Funk said. “I had hopedfor a big turnout in the primary, and we didn’t do as well as Iexpected.”

    Lincoln County Republican Party Chairman John Roberts echoed Funkon that point.

    “I was disappointed in August that only 40 percent of theelectorate voted,” Roberts said.

    Roberts is optimistic that increasing dominance in statewide racesby Republicans will translate to a stronger presence by Republicansin county offices.

    “When you look at local races, our Republican candidates are farbetter than the Democratic candidates,” Roberts said.

    Funk remains doubtful that Democratic weakness on the state levelwill be a problem in local races.

    “We’ve been in that position before,” she said.

    Roberts is also hoping for a little divine intervention.

    “God’s ear has been busy, because I’ve sure been praying a lot,”Roberts said.

    Lincoln County residents will vote in two legislative races, SenateDistrict 39 and House District 92.

    In the District 39 race, Republican Sally Doty faces Democrat W.LRayborn. Neither is an incumbent, though Rayborn held the seat from1977 until 1999 when Cindy Hyde-Smith defeated him.

    Hyde-Smith chose not to seek re-election this year. Instead she isrunning as a Republican for commissioner of commerce andagriculture. She is opposed by Democrat Joel Gill and Reform Partycandidate Cathy L. Toole.

    Incumbent District 92 Rep. Becky Currie, a Republican, facesDemocratic challenger Ken Dale Sullivan. Currie is completing herfirst term.

    The Republican incumbent Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop will try tostave off Democrat Roger Dale Leggett’s challenge to a fourth termfor Bishop.

    Watkins, the incumbent circuit clerk, is looking for a fifth term.The Democratic Watkins faces opposition from Republican DustinBairfield.

    Watkins has been indicted on charges of embezzlement and pleadednot guilty. Her trial will begin Jan. 9, 2012.

    Democrat Steve Rushing looks for re-election to a second full termas sheriff, but Republican candidate Gene “Bub” Simmons is making asecond attempt to unseat Rushing, having run against him in the2007 Democratic primary.

    The race for Lincoln County tax assessor/collector sees threecandidates and no incumbent. Republican Mike Jinks, Democrat RitaWilkinson Goss and independent Mavis Henderson Stewart are allvying for the office.

    Incumbent Nancy Jordan is retiring after three terms.

    The Rev. Jerry Wilson, the Democratic incumbent District Onesupervisor, looks to fend off Republican challenger David Bowers.If re-elected, Wilson would begin his third term.

    In the supervisor District Four race, three-term Democraticincumbent Nolan Earl Williamson will meet Republican challengerHoward Williams.

    There is no incumbent in the supervisor District Five race. DudleyNations defeated incumbent Gary Walker in the Democratic primaryand in the general election will face Republican Carroll BruceSmith.

    Three candidates are competing for the office of Post One JusticeCourt Judge: Art Likens, a Republican, Joe Portrey, a Democrat, andindependent Raymond Boutwell. Portrey defeated incumbent RalphBoone in the Democratic primary.

    The Post Two Justice Court Judge race also lacks an incumbentfollowing Ann Reeves’ retirement. Democrat Carl Brown andRepublican Chris King will challenge each other.

    A number of incumbents face no opposition on the ballot, includingHouse District 53 Rep. Bobby Moak, Lincoln County Coroner ClayMcMorris, Lincoln County Surveyor Joe W. Byrd, Constable Post OneKelly Porter and Superintendent Terry Brister.

    Two Democratic supervisor candidates, Jimmy Diamond in District Twoand C.E. “Eddie” Brown in District Four, also face no oppositionafter defeating the incumbents in those districts in the Democraticprimary. Diamond ousted three-term incumbent Bobby Watts and Browndefeated Doug Moak, also a three-term incumbent.