Some appointed Lincoln County office holders will not havespecial election opposition, but one of two county school boardraces will be contested this year, according to candidatequalifying activity that concluded last week.

In county races, Coroner-Medical Examiner Clay McMorris did notget any challengers in a Nov. 5 special election to fill theremainder of the post’s four-year term. McMorris was appointedcoroner following long-time Coroner-Medical Examiner MorrisHenderson’ retirement earlier this year.

“My plans are to be a candidate next year for a four-year term,”McMorris said, adding that he was glad not to have any opponents.”It feels good to go ahead and finish out Morris’ term and be readyfor the next four years.”

In another special county election, incumbent District 3Election Commissioner Floy McClelland garnered no opposition inthat race. Mrs. McClelland was appointed following her husbandBernard’s death last year.

The special elections coincide with regularly-scheduledelections for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, statejudicial offices and school boards.

One of two races for spots on the Lincoln County School Districtwill be contested this year.

Steve Rushing, an investigator with county sheriff’s department,qualified last week to challenge incumbent James Keene. Keenecurrently represents District 4-West Lincoln, and only voters inthat area will participate in that contested race.

JoAnn Holmes, who represents District 3-Bogue Chitto, is also upfor re-election. She is unopposed this year.

In a special election involving Lincoln, Pike and Walthallcounties, Danny Smith is unopposed as 14th Circuit Court Districtdistrict attorney.

Smith was appointed to fill the remainder of the four-year termafter Dunn Lampton was named U.S. attorney last year. A regularelection for a full four-year term will be held next year withother regularly-scheduled county elections.

Several multi-county judicials races are also on the Novemberballot, according to qualifying records with the Secretary ofState’s Office.

Incumbent 15th District Chancellor Ed Patten will be elected fora third term after receiving no opposition in his race. Patten ischancery court judge for Lincoln and Copiah counties.

In the 14th Circuit Court District, which included Lincoln, Pikeand Walthall counties, incumbents Keith Starrett and Mike Smithface challenges from two attorneys. McComb attorneys Charles Millerand Jack Price, who is also a city court judge, have qualified inthe race against the sitting judges.

Lincoln County citizens will also be helping to elect a U.S.senator, 3rd District U.S. representative and state Supreme Courtjustice.

The representative’s race, which pits Republican Chip Pickeringagainst Democrat Ronnie Shows, is garnering much of the electionspotlight, said David Blount, spokesman for the Secretary ofState’s Office. The two representative incumbents were placed inthe same district following redistricting this year.

“There is a lot of interest in that race,” Blount said.

Reform Party candidate Carroll Grantham of Hattiesburg,Libertarian Brad A McDonald of Hattiesburg and independents HarveyDarden of Louisville and Jim Giles of Pearl are also on the ballotin that race.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran faces independent Shawn O’Harain the Senate race. Democrats did not field a candidate after theprimary victor died and the other candidate withdrew.

In the state Supreme County contest, incumbent Chuck McRae facesJess Dickinson and Larry Buffington. The justice post representsthe southern part of the state.

Blount and Lincoln County Circuit Clerk’s Office officials saidabsentee ballots for the November election should be readysoon.

In another election matter, county officials said absenteeballots are ready for the county school district’s $3.8 millionbond issue election set for Tuesday, Sept. 17. County officialssaid 13 people had voted absentee so far in that election.