VIDALIA, La. – After Thursday’s qualifying deadline for this fall’s Louisiana elections, State Rep. Bryant Hammett has opposition, a four-way race has formed for sheriff and a longtime police juror has bowed out.

Hammett’s opponent in the Oct. 23 primary will be Ferriday Alderman Sammy Davis Jr., who qualified just before the 5 p.m. deadline for the District 21 seat.

Davis said teacher raises and health care reforms would be part of his platform, as well as finding ways to route alternative school students to the military instead of the corrections system.

&uot;Our question should be, ‘Who can we help?’&uot; Davis said. &uot;If I’m elected … I&160;will be accessible to the people.&uot; Hammett could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Two or more people have signed up to run for every parish office except clerk of courts, a post held by Clyde Ray Webber for 30-plus years.

One hotly contested race will be for sheriff, now sought by four candidates: Sheriff Randy Maxwell, reserve officer Tony Joe Braley, Constable George Sewell and the Rev. Justin Conner, who qualified late Thursday.

Conner admitted he has no law enforcement experience but pledged to use &uot;common sense&uot;&160;to run the office if elected. &uot;The sheriff is basically an administrator and leader, and I&160;think my type of leadership is needed,&uot;&160;he said.

But one longtime incumbent was absent from the list of qualifiers – Fred Falkenheiner, who has served as a police juror for 30 years and jury president for 12 years.

Falkenheiner said Wednesday he probably would not run due to health problems. He could not be reached for comment Thursday evening. Randy Temple and &uot;Hoss&uot;&160;Davis will be running for his District 3, Place A seat.

In all, 38 candidates qualified. &uot;I was surprised we had this many, because we haven’t had much political talk so far,&uot; Webber said.