VIDALIA, La. – A three-way sheriff’s race, a surprise bid for tax assessor and the possible departure of Police Juror Fred Falkenheiner highlighted the qualifying period for the Oct. 23 primary in Concordia Parish as of Wednesday afternoon.

The deadline for qualifying at the parish Clerk of Court’s Office in Vidalia is 5 p.m. today. By 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, three had qualified to run for sheriff, making it one of the most hotly contested races.

Those include Sheriff Randy Maxwell; Constable George W. Sewell; and Tony Joe Braley, who has been a reserve officer for the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office and Vidalia Police Department. The Rev. Justin Conner is expected to qualify for the race today.

&uot;I feel pretty good about this race,&uot;&160;said Maxwell, who has been sheriff for nine years. &uot;I&160;stand on my record.&uot;

As of Wednesday, Police Jury President Fred Falkenheiner had not qualified for the District 3, Place A juror post he has held for 30 years, including 12 years as president.

&uot;I have not decided whether I&160;will run again,&uot;&160;he said, despite reports that he would not run for re-election. &uot;It looks like I&160;probably won’t … but ask me tomorrow (Thursday).&uot;

Falkenheiner has experienced persistent health problems in recent years. Only Randy E. Temple had signed up to run for juror in that district as of Wednesday afternoon.

Another surprise was that Buddy Spillers, who is president of the Macon Ridge Economic Development Region and was eyeing a state Senate seat, qualified to run for tax assessor versus Monelle Moseley, who has served as assessor for 22 years.

Running for the position of police juror in District 2: incumbent Fred Marsalis, Warren DeWayne Brown, Willie J. Dunbar and L.J. Robinson.

Roger Beall, a Winnsboro, La., man leading farmers’ push for guaranteed minimum crop prices, is running for state representative from District 20 against current legislator Lelon Kenney of Columbia.

Elijah Banks has signed up to run against incumbent Carey Cook for the District 1, Place A Police Jury seat, while Juror Gene Allen will face Andy Anders in the District 1, Place B race.

Ed Smith has qualified to run against Charlie Blaney, who holds the District 3, Place B seat. And Ferris Durham has chosen to run against Melvin Ferrington, also an incumbent, in District 4, Place B.