Ten men want to be county road supervisor, and eight of them will appear on the Democratic and Republican Primary election ballots, vying for their party's nomination.

Twelve o'clock noon this Thursday, December 13 is the deadline for returning petitions for candidates to appear on the Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Democratic and Republican ballots.

Two county-side races, for the offices of county Road Supervisor and for Assessor of Property, are contested this coming year. Incumbent Road Supervisor Charles “Chop” Porter and one challenger, Lonnie R. Jones will appear on the Democratic Primary Election ballot; Incumbent Assessor Rick Shoulders has either one or two opponents on the Republican Primary ballot: Steve Clayborne (who has returned his petitions) and Dale Carver (who had not yet returned his petitions as we go to press this Tuesday, December 11).

Jeff Hughes appears on the Democratic Primary ballot as candidate for Assessor of Property with no opposition for the party nomination.

The Road Supervisor race in the Macon County Republican Primary primary is bustling with a field of six candidates: Audie Cook; Derrick Dickins; William Gregory; J.C. Hall; Thomas F. Swindle; and Gordon Tucker have all returned petitions and qualified.

Two indepentents have qualified and will appear on the August 7, 2008 general election ballot for the office of road supervisor, along with the nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties. The Independent candidates who have returned petitions are Jerry Ray and Kenny Patterson.

The Presidential preference primary gives Democrats a choice of nine candidates: Joe Biden; Hillary Rodham Clinton; Chris Dodd; John Edwards; Mike Gravel; Dennis Kucinich; Barack Obama; Bill Richardson; and Uncommitted.

Republicans can vote for three delegates from the Sixth Congressional District to represent their choice(s) from among nine men seeking the Republican Party nomination: Rudy Giuliani; Alan Keyes; Mitt Romney; Mike Huckabee; John McCain; Tom Tancredo; Duncan Hunter; Ron Paul; and Fred Thompson.

The last day to register to vote in the February Primary is Monday, January 7, 2008. Early voting begins on January 16 and runs through January 31, 2008.