Five new candidates have qualified to seek office on the local Republican ticket, while two others have qualified to seek re-election, and only a month remains until the end of the qualifying period for anyone interested in running, said William Blocker, party chair, on Friday.

“It looks like it’s shaping up to be a lot of interest in the upcoming race – especially for the Covington County Commission’s District 2 seat,” he said.

Commissioner Bragg Carter has not publicly stated if he will seek re-election, but three other residents have put their name into the hat, Blocker said.

“We’ve had Randall McCart, Joe Barton and Tony Wells to qualify for that seat,” he said. (To read Wells’ announcement, click here)

Blocker said in District 1, the incumbent David Ellis has qualified, as has Ken Northey; and for District 4, Alan Lucas.

Also qualifying for Covington County School Board were Sonny Thomasson, Place 1, and Jimmy Rogers, the incumbent, for Place 2.

“I’m happy to have a robust list of candidates to run for office,” Blocker said. “It truly does make for a more interesting campaign.”

Democratic Chairman Billy Hughes said as of Friday, no one has qualified to run on the party’s ticket.

The presidential preference primary and statewide primary will be held on March 13; the runoff, if needed, April 24. Municipal elections are set for Aug. 28, and the general elections on Nov. 6.

On a national level, an election will be held for president and vice president, as well as the seat for 2nd Congressional district House of Representatives (which represents Covington County); and on a state level, the offices of chief justice, supreme court justices, Court of Civil Appeals judge and places 1-3, Court of Criminal Appeals judge and places 1-3 and Public Service Commission president are up for election.

On a local level, candidates will vie for a multitude of offices, including:

• Circuit Judge Place 2, a spot currently held by Judge A. “Lex” Short;

• Circuit Clerk. The current circuit clerk, Roger Powell, will not seek re-election;

• Probate Judge

• Commission Chairman and the four seats;

• County School Board Seats 1 and 2, which are held by John Clark and Jimmy Rodgers, respectively; and

• Opp School Board Seats District 3 and 5, which are held by Cheryl Graves and Rothel Moody, respectively.

Qualifying ends Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. For more information on qualifying with the Republican Party, contact Blocker at 334-222-0420, and those with the Democratic Party, should contact Hughes at 334-388-4352 or 488-4478.