Phillip County Judge Don Gentry, Sheriff Ronnie White and Treasurer Becky Gattas have drawn Democratic opposition in their respective bids for re-election as the filing for political offices closed Monday.
Calvin Holden of Helena-West Helena filed Monday morning as a Democratic candidate against Gentry who is seeking his eighth term. Clifton Kirkwood of Helena-West Helena filed as an independent candidate for county judge.
Ray Foran, a Marvell resident and brother-in-law of State Rep. Clark Hall, filed Monday morning as a Democratic challenger to Sheriff White. John Tilson of Helena filed as an independent candidate for sheriff on March 1.
Michelle Briggs of Helena-West Helena filed as a Democratic challenger to Gattas who has been the county treasurer since 1997.
County Clerk Linda White, Assessor Gloria Jones, Circuit Clerk Lynn Stillwell, Surveyor Billy DeJarnette and Coroner Earnest LarRy drew no opposition in their bid for re-elections.
There will be a number of contested races for justices of the peace who comprise the 11-member Phillips County Quorum Court.
Theotis Mitchell of Helena will oppose incumbent Alma Rattler of Helena for the District 1 JP seat.
Other incumbent JPs and their Democratic opponents are: Patrick Roberson, Helena-West Helena, District 6, vs. Mary Jenkins, Helena-West Helena; C.R. Walker, Helena-West Helena, District 7, vs. Kimberly Lynn Smith, Lexa; Teresa Morgan, Lexa, District 9, vs. Buron Griffin Jr., Helena; Clausy Myton, Marvell, District 10, vs. Loretta Jarrett, Marvell; Lenora Marshall, Elaine, District 11, vs. Michael Cravens, Elaine, and Cleo Walker, Mellwood.
Independent JP candidates are: Edward Joshaway, Helena-West Helena, District 4; John Gause, Lexa, District 7, and Max Davis, Mellwood, District 11.
Those who running unopposed for JP seats are: Edward “Buddy” Carter of Helena, District 2; Barbara King, Helena, JP District 3; Betty Faye Brimley, Helena-West Helena, District 5, and Tommy Young, Poplar Grove, District 8.
The races for constable are as follow:
Hornor: Incumbent Terry Newsome, Mike Strickland, Wesley Bryan (Republican), all of West Helena.
St. Francis: Mal Stokes, Helena, and James Jones, Helena.
Spring Creek: Incumbent Gary Burk, Poplar Grove, and Donald Knapp Sr., Lexa.
Running unopposed for constable are:
Upper Big Creek – Terry Fuller, Poplar Grove.
Hickory Ridge: Wayne Wyssbrod, Marvell.
Marion: John O’Neal, 676 Phillips Road.
Hicksville: Linda Fernicola, Marvell.
Lake: Fred Smith (Republican), Helena.
Cleveland: Michael Cox, Marvell.
Ricky Wheeler of Lexa is running for constable from Bush Township.
The incumbents and challengers in the races for Democratic Central Committee positions are as follow:
District 1: Position 1 – Incumbent Mary Brewer, Helena. Position 2 – Incumbent Notie McGinister, Helena, and Opal Jenkins, Helena. Position 3 – Incumbent Allen Cleveland, Helena.
District 2: Position 1 – Gloria Robinson, Helena. Position 2 – Ella Thompson, Helena. Position 3 – Mable Bledsoe, Helena. All three are incumbents.
District 3: Position 1 – Incumbent Wesley Freemyer, Helena, and Effie Bryant, Helena. Position 2 – Incumbent Otis Howe, Jr. Helena, and Mary Mitchell, Helena. Position 3 – Incumbent Mitzi Higgins, Helena, and Noble Franklin, Helena.
District 4: Position 1 – Incumbent Beatrice Johnson, Helena-West Helena.
Position 2 – George Andrew Gibson, Helena-West Helena. Position 3 – Incumbent Diane Tyler, Helena-West Helena, and Martha Coleman, Helena-West Helena.
District 5: Position 1 – Incumbent Constance Jarrett, Helena-West Helena. Position 2 – Incumbent Marie Corbin, Helena-West Helena. Position 3 – Mary L. Williams, Helena-West Helena.
District 6: Position 1 – Incumbent Edward Schieffler, Helena-West Helena. Position 2 – Incumbent Charles Weaver, Helena-West Helena, and Nellie Brownlee, Helena-West Helena. Position 3 – Incumbent Connie Stillwell-Smith, Helena-West Helena, vs. Monica Wilborn, Helena-West Helena.
District 7: Position 1 – Incumbent Denise Olloway, Lexa, and Anthony Grantham, Helena-West Helena. Position 2 – Incumbent Bill Lederman, Lexa, will be challenged by Winston Jackson, Helena-West Helena. Position 3 – Jean Richardson, Lexa, and Mary Daniels, Lexa, are newcomers in the race.
District 8: Position 1 – Jimmy Young, Lexa, unopposed. District 2 – Incumbent Dorotha DeJarnatte, Poplar Grove, vs. Sylvester Drayton, Poplar Grove. Position 3 – Incumbent Kay Thomas, Poplar Grove, vs. Jerome Turner, Poplar Grove.
District 9: Incumbent Cathy Clairway, Poplar Grove, vs. Sheila Glass, Helena. Position 2 – Incumbent Lyle Wheeler, vs. Geraldine Davis, Helena. Position 3 – Incumbent Pat Wheeler, Helena-West Helena, vs. Lita Moore-Johnson, Poplar Grove.
District 10: Position 1 – Incumbent Walter Davis, Marvell vs. Delores Jackson, and Marvell. Position 2 – Incumbent Cindy Tshabold, Marvell, vs. Takeda Farr, Marvell. Position 3 – Incumbent Gloria Higginbotham, Marvell, vs. Connie Williams, Marvell.
District 11: Position 1– Incumbent Poindexter Fiser, Elaine, unopposed. Position 2 – Incumbent Kristin Flynn, Elaine, vs. Marlean Daniels, Elaine. Position 3 – James Tucker, Elaine, vs. Verlin Thomas Gathings, Lundell.
In the races for positions on the Republican County Committee, Allen Martin of Helena, the incumbent, is running for re-election to Position 1. Elton Batchelor of Helena-West Helena and Fred Smith of Helena are challenging him. Johnny McKenzie is running unopposed for Position 2.
