By Billy Davis

The already-competitive race for Panola County circuit clerk is expected to gain another name today when candidate George Williford turns in his qualifying paper.

Williford, 40, told The Panolian last week he intends to qualify as an independent candidate.

The circuit clerk’s race already includes Democrat candidates Willie Odom Jr., Melissa Meek-Phelps, and Craig Sheley. Another candidate, Karen Waldo Brown, has qualified as a Republican.

Incumbent Joe Reid, a Democrat, is not expected to seek re-election.

Reid reported last week that the newest candidate to qualify for upcoming elections is Bubba Terrell, a supervisor candidate.

Terrell, of Sarah, is seeking the District 2 seat as a Republican.

Party primaries are August 2. The general election is Nov. 2.

The qualifying deadline, March 1, is now one week away.