Could it be a moment in history? For the first time in many years, no one qualified to oppose Bulloch County incumbents for political races in the general primary.

            "I don't recall us ever getting through an election period without somebody having opposition," Probate Court Clerk Patricia Lanier said. In her 23 years in office, it hadn't happened, she said.

            Actually, two incumbents chose not to qualify for office again, but there is still no opposition for those two seats, as only one person qualified in each office.

            Bulloch County surveyor Lamar Reddick decided to step down from the position but associate John Dotson picked up the reins and qualified Friday morning, Lanier said.

            And Bulloch County Clerk of Courts Sherri Akins announced last week she was retiring, and endorsed her deputy clerk Teresa Tucker, who was the only one to qualify for the clerk of courts position, Lanier said.

            All other incumbents qualified to run again, and remain unopposed.

            The candidates are as follows: Lynn Anderson — Bulloch County Sheriff; James Deal — Bulloch Tax commissioner; Jake Futch — Bulloch  coroner; Teresa Tucker  — Bulloch Clerk of Courts; Garrett Nevil, Bulloch County Commission chairman; Roy Thompson — County Commission seat 2C; George Jackson —  County Commission seat 1A; Jan Tankersley — County Commission seat 2A; Joey Cowart — state court solicitor; and John Dotson — County surveyor.

            Qualifying for partisan offices in Bulloch County began Monday at 9 a.m. and ended Friday at noon. Qualifying for non-partisan races, which includes judges and school board members, begins June 23.

            In the wake of passing a tax increase last year, Bulloch County commissioners expected some opposition.

            "I'm shocked," Thompson said. "I was fully prepared for a campaign, and was looking forward to it.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought nobody else would have signed up (to run against incumbent officials)."

            Bulloch County Probate Judge Lee Deloach, election superintendent, also was surprised.

            "It's very unusual that we wouldn't have anybody but incumbents to qualify,"  with the exception of Tucker and Dotson, he said. "This means we will have an easier general primary."