The first candidate to challenge for the circuit clerk’s officestepped forward and a husband-and-wife team began their campaignslast week during the sixth week of qualifying for electedoffice.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Dustin Bairfield launchedhis candidacy to become Lincoln County circuit clerk, while TerryLane and Vewanna Peavy Nations turned in papers to seek the officesof justice court judge and tax assessor/collector. Bairfield, aRepublican, is the first opponent to challenge Democratic incumbentTerry Lynn Watkins to become the top court administrator, while theNationses are each running for the offices they already workin.

“The circuit clerk’s position is the center point for all cases,criminal and civil, and the operation of that position must beeffective and timely,” said Bairfield, a 12-year veteran of thesheriff’s department who previously worked for the MississippiBureau of Narcotics. “I want to be sure the court is managedeffectively and efficiently, without interruption.”

Vewanna Peavy Nations, a Democrat, is the fourth candidate to seekthe title of Lincoln County tax assessor/collector, pitting heragainst Republican Brookhaven City Clerk Mike Jinks, Democratic taxoffice employee April Byrd Williford and State Bank officer BeckyBartram, also a Democrat. She’s served as the tax office’sbookkeeper for more than seven years.

“I love people and I feel like I can be of service to people andour employees,” she said. “I’m a learner and I do a lot on my own.I think I can help out a lot in the office.”

Her husband, Terry Lane Nations, is running for justice court judgein Post Two as a Democrat. He’s the fifth candidate to qualify forthat position and now faces retired state trooper Carl Brown,businessman Roger Martin and newly qualified businessman DoyleBratton on the Democratic side, and driver’s license officer ChrisKing on the Republican side.

He works through the sheriff’s department with justice courtdefendants who’ve been ordered to work off fines.

“If we can get just one of those young people back on the rightpath, it’s worth it all,” he said.

After six weeks of qualifying, the list of local candidates seekingcounty, district and statewide offices stands at 44. The deadlineto qualify for local offices is March 1, while the deadline forlegislative offices is June 1.

This year’s primary election will be held Aug. 2, with a runoff onAug. 23 if necessary. The general election falls on Nov. 8.

So far, competition has intensified in a field dominated byDemocrats.

Incumbent Sheriff Steve Rushing is facing two fellow Democrats inhis race – Brookhaven policeman Mahundis Brice and retired statetrooper Johnny Leggett.

Not a single Republican has announced a run for county supervisor.Three-way races are being run in District Two, where incumbentBobby Watts is facing Don Smith and Jimmy Diamond; in DistrictFour, where incumbent Doug Moak is field challenges from CharlesDavis and Eddie Brown; and in District Five, where incumbent GaryWalker is facing Benjie J. Smith and Dudley Nations.

District One Supervisor the Rev. Jerry Wilson and District ThreeSupervisor Nolan Williamson continue to run unopposed.

Four Democrats are running for justice court judge in Post One,where incumbent Ralph Boone is facing Charles Ralph Smith, Jr., JoePortrey and Harold E. King.

Six Democrats are seeking the two constable positions. IncumbentPost One Constable Kelly Porter is challenged by Bruce Smith andClint Earls, while Post Two Constable Lavon Boyd is facing KirbyEbbers and Troy Floyd.

Lincoln County School District Superintendent Terry Brister,Lincoln County Coroner Clay McMorris, Lincoln County Surveyor JoeByrd and District Attorney Dee Bates – all Democrats – are thus farrunning unopposed.

Three candidates announced their campaigns for the MississippiSenate in District 39 last week – Republicans Bill Boerner andSally Doty and Democrat Mike Smith. Incumbent District 39 Sen.Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Republican, is seeking the office ofCommissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.

District 92 Rep. Becky Currie, a Republican, is the only candidateto qualify for her seat so far, and no one has qualified for theDistrict 53 seat held by Rep. Bobby Moak, a Democrat.