LAST DAY TO FILE FOR OFFICES IN SCOTT COUNTY

BENTON -- No other candidates have filed for countywide offices in Scott County. The filing period ends at 5 p.m. today.

Voters will decide some contested races with the August primary election because only one party had candidates file. Every candidate filed on the Democratic ticket.

Open posts are sheriff, first and second district seats on the county commission, assessor, coroner and public administrator. Candidates are elected to four-year terms.

Candidates:

* Sheriff: Bill Ferrell, who was first elected to office 24 years ago, will face Rick Walter, a former sheriff's deputy, in the primary election.

* Jerry Burge, Walter Bizzell and Sonny Alcorn filed for first district commission job. Bizzell is the officeholder, having been elected in 1992. Alcorn is completing his last term as public administrator for the county. Burge has not held a publicly elected office.

* Jamie Burger and Dewaine Shaffer both filed for the second district commission slot. Shaffer is the incumbent; he was first elected in 1996.

* Teresa Houchin is running unopposed in her third bid for county assessor. She was first elected in 1992.

* Scott C. Amick is seeking re-election as county coroner.

* H.J. "Cotton" Holyfield is seeking a term as public administrator. He is a former county treasurer.