VAIDEN — This year’s races for Carroll County offices have gotten more than the usual interest, as 56 candidates have qualified to run.
In the last several days left to qualify before Tuesday’s deadline, a number of races added additional candidates, one candidate withdrew, and one changed party designations, according to Circuit Clerk Durward Stanton.
Stanton said election commissioners and party executive committees were to meet this morning to certify the candidate.
In the sheriff’s race, which already had five candidates, Alonzo Lewis II became the latest entrant.
Two have added their names to the race for superintendent of education. Theron Wilkes, an independent, and Lucretia D. Woods, a Democrat, will challenge Billy Joe Ferguson.
The current supervisor of Beat 3, Marvin F. Coward, withdrew as a Democrat and requalified as an independent. Coward faces two Democrats and a Republican, Ben Shute, who has qualified in recent days. Shute is a member of the Carroll County School Board.
For chancery clerk, Gayle Noland Beard has qualified to challenge Stanley “Sugar” Mullins.
In the tax assessor and collector’s race, Billy K. Box and Benjamin C. Shute II have qualified to run for the position, which has been left empty by the retirement of Wilton Neal.
In the Beat 2 supervisor’s race, Randy Smith has qualified, making a total of three challenging Lloyd “Honey” Ashmore.
For Beat 4 supervisor, four additional candidates are challenging James “Bobby” Cobbins. They are Herman Blackmon, Jerry Branch, Willie James Coleman and Jason Walker.
Michael Roberts and Dent Turner have qualified to run for Beat 5 supervisor, a position that now has five candidates.
Two new candidates for the Northern Constable position include Mark “Tank” Jennings and Brad Carver. Jennings is running as an independent and Carver as a Democrat.
Allen Vance, a Democrat, has entered the Southern District constable’s race, making him the fifth candidate for that position.
Thomas “Gary” Bankston has withdrawn his name from the Northern Justice Court judge’s race, and Houston Sanders qualified as an independent.
Gladys Holmes Hodges has qualified to run for Southern District Justice Court judge.
