Covington County’s District 3 Commissioner Harold Elmore will have no opposition on the November ballot, county Republican Party chairman William Blocker said Thursday.

The ticket had been without a candidate since August when Nathaniel Belcher announced he was withdrawing from the race. Belcher, a Lockhart resident and pastor at Faith Deliverance Church, told party officials he felt like the time involved in being a commissioner took time away from his ministry.

Under state law, when there is the lack of a party candidate in an upcoming election under such circumstances as the withdrawal from the election or the death of a previous designated candidate, the party has the right to “substitute” another candidate; however, no one would commit to running for District 3.

Blocker confirmed Thursday the party had been in negotiations with former commissioner and local real estate agent Glen Powell about running on the Republican ticket against Elmore, as well as one other un-named individual.

“There’s no way we can get anyone else either; our time has past,” Blocker said. “We contacted several different people. (Powell) recently underwent heart surgery, so it wasn’t a good idea for him. I had one other person in mind, but they decided not to do it.

“We’ve just flat out ran out of time.”

Elmore said he appreciated the support of the voters in this past election, as well as the one held four years ago.

“This was my first time as a commissioner,” Elmore said. “I’ve learned a lot over the last four years. It takes a little time to get your feet on the ground, to learn how things work. I know that I can do a much better job in the coming four years.

“I’m thankful that I don’t have an opponent,” he said. “Now I can concentrate on working on improving the county instead of campaigning.”