Staff Writer

"Let the campaigning begin!"

That’s the sentiment being expressed now that the qualifying period for Republican and Democratic candidates is complete since qualifying ended at 5 p.m. Friday.

Having that over, though, is just the beginning for those with opposition in the primary elections.

Only a handful of candidates have no competition whatsoever, while some have only to worry about the General Election in November. Still others, have to campaign hard for their primary and the General Election.

Two incumbent county commissioners have no opponents.

Willie Thomas, a Democrat, representing District 1 and Republican Larry Meeks of District 2 are running unopposed.

District 3 Commissioner Larry Penn is running for re-election, along with fellow Republican Jimmy Barron and Democrats Sherrill Calhoun and Joe B. Allen.

In District 4, three Democrats and one Republican have qualified. Incumbent Ray Goodson, Terry Sneed and Donnie Daniels will be seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Jim Medley.

Three Democrats are seeking the District 5 seat. They are: incumbent Charlie Harris, Jake Wingard and Jeffery D. Baker Jr.

Incumbent Karen Berry, a Democrat, has opposition from Democrat Ralph D. Rainey and Republicans Roy Pugh and John Schmidt for the District 6 slot.

Willo D. Baker, a Democrat, is seeking re-election for the District 5 seat on the Pike County Board of Education with opposition from Herbert Reynolds and Paul Hall, also Democrats.

Adam Register, a Democrat, is the only individual seeking the District 6 seat on the board of education.

Those who have qualified to run for the office of constable are: Garry Sanders, a Republican, for Precinct 1; Joe Lewis Green, a Democrat, for Precinct 2; John Sanders Jr., a Democrat, for Precinct 5; Scott Flowers and Marvin "Pete" Jordan, both Republicans, for Precinct 6; James Price, a Republican for Precinct 12; Bruel A. Davis, a Republican, for District 15-1 and Stephen Green, a Democrat, for Precinct 18.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, Democrat Thomas Head of Elba has qualified for re-election as judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit, Place 1 and incumbent Brenda Peacock, now a Republican, is running for re-election as circuit clerk. No further information about those qualifying for circuit judge, circuit clerk and district judge were available since they must qualify with the Secretary of State’s Office.

The Primary Election will be June 6 and the run-offs will be held June 27.

July 3 is the last day for independent and third party candidates to file petitions for ballot access for the Nov. 7 General Election.