With one week remaining to qualify for county elections, the slots are filling up.

Circuit Clerk M.L. “Binkey” Vines (D) has another opponent. Joining Vines, Wilbur Johnson (D) and City Clerk Donnie Holloway (D) is Eddie Walker (D), criminal investigator for the district attorney’s office.

“This is something I’ve thought about for a long time,” Walker said. “And I think I am qualified to do it.”

Walker has worked in the district attorney’s office for more than 27 years, something that requires he work with the circuit clerk’s office. Because of that, he knows the ins and outs of the office pretty well, he said.

“I think that’s a very important office to the people in Adams County in that the circuit clerk’s office is the keeper of the records of court action,” Walker said. “I just think it’s a very integral part of the court system.”

Walker said he thought it was important the public be able to access records from the circuit clerk’s office whenever they wanted.

He also said if he was elected, he would try to computerize older records as well as new ones, as is currently done.

Walker would not comment on what effect pending embezzlement charges against Vines might have on the election.

“My records will be public, as all public office records should be,” Walker said. “I can assure you that I will run the office with honesty and integrity.”

Vines could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Another newcomer to the county race is George Souderes.

Although currently serving as county civil defense director, Souderes said he was already thinking about retirement.

“I just always had a desire to run for the supervisor post,” Souderes said. “My aim was to retire in 2008 anyhow. Now that I’m reaching 30 years in emergency management, and with a lot of prayers and consulting with my family, I decided it was the right time for me to run.”

With 30 years with the county under his belt, Souderes said his experience qualified him for the job.

“I know a lot about the county, about the county departments, and I know a lot about the city and the city departments,” Souderes said.

“I know what their functions are.”

If elected, Souderes said he would try to work closely with elected city officials.

“One of my goals is to see if we can’t work a lot closer together on a lot of different projects that may come up in the future and any that are ongoing now,” he said.

He would not give details or specific projects.

Incumbent District 2 Supervisor Henry Watts could not be reached for comment.

Judge Mary Toles will step down as justice court judge this year, leaving a position open for justice court judge, northern district.

Both Audrey Minor Bailey (D) and Patricia Dunmore (D) hope to fill that spot.

Born and raised in Adams County, Bailey graduated from Louisiana Business College and worked at the Natchez Police Department for seven years.

Bailey has worked as an administrative assistant to the justice court judges for 10 years, something she said she feels gives her experience for the job.

“I’ve heard as many cases as the judges over the years because I’ve been in court every day,” Bailey said.

After witnessing so many cases, Bailey said she thought she would be an excellent candidate for the position.

“I want to be really fair to everyone who comes before me,” she said.

Natchez attorney Dunmore could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Adams County candidates for elected office are:

Sheriff:

Ronny Brown (D)

Charles Woods (D)

Chancery Clerk:

Thomas O’Beirne (D)

Circuit Clerk:

M.L. “Binkey Vines (D)

Wilbur Johnson (D)

Donnie Holloway (D)

Eddie Walker (D)

Tax assessor:

Reynolds Atkins (D)

Tax collector:

Vernona Sanders (D)

County attorney:

Barrett Martin (D)

Coroner:

James E. Lee (D)

Supervisor District 1:

Charles Michael Lazarus (D)

Sammy Cauthen (R)

Supervisor District 2:

Henry Watts (D)

George F. Souderes Jr.

Supervisor District 3:

Thomas “Boo” Campbell (D)

Supervisor District 4:

Darryl Grennell (D)

Supervisor District 5:

S.E. “Spanky” Felter (D)

Ronald Eugene Albritton (D)

James Berry Jr. (D)

Jessie Turner (D)

Justice Court Judge, Northern District:

Audrey Minor Bailey (D)

Patricia Dunmore (D)

Justice Court Judge, Southern District:

Charles L. “Charlie” Vess (D)

L. Jackson Lazarus (D)

Constable, Southern District:

Randy Freeman (D)