Enough Republican candidates for local office qualified on the final day to force the party to begin planning for primary elections.

Ten Republicans qualified on Friday for Chilton County Commission, and 10 qualified for county Board of Education. Both bodies have seven seats.

No candidates from the Republican or Democratic parties emerged to challenge two local politicians whose terms are coming to an end. Probate Judge Bobby Martin and Circuit Court Clerk Glenn McGriff will enter into new terms unopposed.

Qualifying for commission on the final day were Ron Hollon, Wyndell Patterson and Tommy Michael Smitherman.

They join the list of Republicans (Allen Caton, Joe Headley, Ronnie Gilbert, Tim Mims, Greg Moore, Aubrey Wallace and Shannon Welch) and Democrats (Bobby Agee, Robert Binion, Heedy Hayes and Dwight Swindle) who had qualified prior to Friday.

Caton, Headley, Mims, Moore, Agee and Hayes are incumbents. Mims is serving as the commission chairman.

Commissioner “Red” Turnipseed, a Democrat, is the only one to decide not to seek re-election.

Qualifying for the board of education on the final day were Republicans Charla Giles Doucet, Linda Hand, Keith Moore, Lori Reynolds Patterson, Curtis Smith and George Walker.

They join the list of Republicans (Joe Mims, Pam Price, Jim Shannon and Gina Willis) and Democrats (Howard Daugherty, Tommy Headley and Ann Thomas) who qualified prior to Friday.

Smith, Walker, Mims, Daugherty and Thomas are incumbents. Ann Glasscock and Chris Davis are incumbents not seeking re-election.

Smith is changing parties after serving in the state Legislature for 20 years and on the board for 12 years as a Democrat.

“This won’t change me as far as helping people,” Smith said. “I’ve never asked somebody if they’re a Democrat or Republican if they come to me for help. I just want to serve people in the best capacity I can.

“I appreciate what the Democratic Party has done over the years and will continue to work together with them to try to have the best education opportunities for the boys and girls of Chilton County.”