An election commissioner has resigned inorder to mount a run for the office of Lincoln County circuitclerk.

    Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop delivered the resignation of DistrictFour Election Commissioner Janie Sisco to the board of supervisorsat their Tuesday morning meeting.

    Election commissioner races will occur this year, but the board ofsupervisors must appoint someone to fill Sisco’s post until theelection.

    District Four Supervisor Eddie Brown will recommend a replacementto the board, but asked for more time to select someone.

    “Being this was just sprung on me, we’ll wait until the nextmeeting,” Brown told the board.

    The next supervisors meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6, but theboard’s understanding is that an interim election commissioner mustbe appointed within 10 days. Board attorney Bob Allen wasunavailable to provide comment on the timeframe within which areplacement must be named.

    Bishop said pending other developments, the board’s intention is toname a replacement within 10 days. That will require a calledmeeting in order to appoint a replacement.

    Sisco’s resignation became effective Jan. 13.

    When contacted Tuesday afternoon, Sisco discussed her plans to seekother elected office.

    “The circuit clerk’s office is open, so I saw that as anopportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” Sisco said.

    Terry Lynn Watkins was elected to a fifth term as circuit clerklast November, but resigned Jan. 6 as part of a plea bargain toavoid a trial on embezzlement charges.

    A special election will occur in November to determine areplacement to finish Watkins’ term. Deputy Circuit Clerk SherryJordan was appointed by the supervisors to fill the office untilthe election.

    Sisco has not filed qualifying paperwork yet, but expressedconfidence that she will do so.

    “I feel very comfortable saying I am going to run,” Sisco said.

    Sisco’s resignation cuts short her first term as electioncommissioner at three years. She defeated 20-year incumbent CharlesSmith by a thin margin of victory in 2008.

    Sisco said she has “enjoyed” her time as election commissioner andhas resigned only in pursuit of other office. She described herelections experience as an asset in seeking the circuit clerkpost.

    “I feel like the office I have has prepared me to be circuitclerk,” Sisco said.

    When asked about the recommendation he will make to the board,Brown said he does not yet have any candidates in mind.

    “This just got sprung on me today,” Brown said Tuesday. “I hadheard rumors, but you never know until it comes in definite.”