ALEXANDER COUNTY ELECTIONS

CAIRO, Ill. -- Name recognition could help or hurt two candidates competing for the Republican precinct committeeman position in the March 17 Alexander County primary.

Two of seven candidates share the same desire for the position -- as well as the same name. Michael D. Caldwell of Miller City and Micheal D. Caldwell of Thebes are both competing for the position. The two are not related.

Other committeeman hopefuls are Mitzi Thomas Kuyper, Keith Benefield, Ralph Myers, Zac Caldwell and Donald J. Turner.

"It's something else; they're both Republicans and both running for precinct committeeman," said County Clerk Sue Harrington.

The Thebes Caldwell name will also appear elsewhere on the ballot; this time competing for a county commissioner position. Michael D. Caldwell will compete against Republican candidate David. D. McNeely for a chance to appear on the Nov. 3 general elections ballot. The winner of the primary will face the victor of the Democratic primary.

Three Democratic candidates -- Alex M. Brooks, John "Andy" Clarke and James "Tony" Mallory -- are running for the position.

Another name that is less repetitious but equally familiar is Alexander County Sheriff Warren "Buddy" Mitchell. He is a Democrat and trying for a fifth term in office.

Mitchell is a 20-year veteran of law enforcement, a Navy veteran, and has been sheriff for 16 years. He will face Harold McNelly of Thebes in a second meeting during the primary.

McNelly, a native of Alexander County and veteran of the Air Force, has served as administrator of the Alexander County General Assistance Office and as a member on the Shawnee College Board of Trustees and Egyptian School Board.

The winner of the primary will face Republican Joe M. Beloate in general elections Nov. 3.

Only two other incumbents will be seeking re-election during the primaries. County Treasurer Frances Lee and Assessor Dorothy Mayberry, both Democrats, will have to defend their positions against other members of their party. No Republican candidates filed for either position.

Lee, a Cairo resident, is seeking a third term against candidates Nancy Willis Kline of Cairo and Darrell "Mark" Franklin of Olive Branch. Cairo resident Mayberry is also seeking a third term against Olive Branch resident Debbie M. Henderson.

ON THE BALLOT

Alexander County

Assessor

Democrat

Incumbent Dorothy Mayberry, Cairo.

Debbie M. Henderson, Olive Branch.

County Clerk

Democrat

Barbara Franklin, Cairo.

Sharyl (Kobler) Davis, Unity.

Amy Brinkmeyer, Cairo.

Louis W. Maze, Olive Branch.

Republican

Gerry P. Clark, Cairo.

County Treasurer

Democrat

Incumbent Frances Lee, Cairo.

Nancy Willis Kline, Cairo.

Darrell "Mark" Franklin, Olive Branch.

County Commissioner

Democrat

Alex M. Brooks, Cairo; John "Andy" Clarke, Olive Branch; James "Tony" Mallory, Cairo.

Republican

David D. McNeely, Cairo; Michael D. Caldwell, Thebes.

Sheriff

Democrat

Incumbent Buddy Mitchell, Tamms; Harold McNelly, Thebes.

Republican

Joe M. Beloate, Olive Branch.

Precinct Committeeman

Republican

Mitzi Thomas Kuyper, Thebes; Keith Benefield, Thebes; Michael D. Caldwell, Miller City; Ralph Myers, Cairo; Michael D. Caldwell, Thebes; Zac Calwell, Tamms; Donald J. Turner, Cairo.