By Staff
Staff reports
So far, only two races in Escambia County are contested - sheriff and county commission District 1.
The county's Democratic party closed qualifying Thursday, while local Republicans have until April 7 to qualify for office.
Incumbent Grover Smith and former sheriff Tim Hawsey will face each other in the Democratic primary for sheriff. That is the contested race in the Democratic primary.
Primaries are scheduled for June 6.
Democrat David Stokes, the incumbent who is also chairman of the county commission, will face Republican Ray Madden in the November general election.
Other Democrats who have qualified include: Rachel Agerton, probate judge, Larry White, commission district 3, Wiley Tait, commission district 5, Jack D. Crutchfield, school board district 3, Danny Benjamin, school board district 2, Charles H. Brooks, school board district 7.
Republicans interested in qualifying have until Friday to do so. Anyone interested can call Mike Edwards at 867-4218 or Mike Watson at Watson Accounting, 867-2239.
Edwards could not be reached for comment.