Staff Writer

April 17, 2000 8 PM

Just over a week after qualifying on the Democratic ticket to run for circuit clerk, Wally Lowery has withdrawn from the race.

Lowery qualified April 7 to run against two-term incumbent Brenda Peacock, who switched to the Republican Party, but has decided against running at this time.

"I have prayed about it, thought it through and I think it’s in my family’s best interest for me not to seek office at this time," Lowery said. "It was a tough decision, but I think it was the right one for us."

Much of his decision was based on the approaching birth of his first child, who is expected to arrive in May.

"I don’t need to be bogged down campaigning," Lowery said. "I just want to be with Holly and our child. Being with family is very important to me."

Although he is not seeking election now, Lowery said public office may be in his future.

"I look forward to getting into the political arena later down the road," Lowery said.

Lowery’s withdrawal from the race leaves Peacock unopposed in both the Republican Primary and the General Election in November.

Other offices up for election this year are Circuit Judge, Place 1; District Judge, Place 1; all six Pike County Commission seats; Pike County Board of Education, Districts 5 and 6 and constables by precincts.

Circuit Judge Thomas E. Head III, a Democrat, will run unopposed for the Place 1 bench.

District Judge William G. Hightower is also unopposed for his place on the bench.

Two incumbent county commissioners have no opponents.

Willie Thomas, a Democrat, representing District 1 and Republican Larry Meeks of District 2 are running unopposed.

District 3 Commissioner Larry Penn is running for re-election, along with fellow Republican Jimmy Barron and Democrats Sherrill Calhoun and Joe B. Allen.

In District 4, three Democrats and one Republican have qualified. Incumbent Ray Goodson, Terry Sneed and Donnie Daniels will be seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Jim Medley.

Three Democrats are seeking the District 5 seat. They are: incumbent Charlie Harris, Jake Wingard and Jeffery D. Baker Jr.

Incumbent Karen Berry, a Democrat, has opposition from Democrat Ralph G. Rainey and Republicans Roy Pugh and John Schmidt for the District 6 slot.

Willo D. Baker, a Democrat, is seeking re-election for the District 5 seat on the Pike County Board of Education with opposition from Herbert Reynolds and Paula Hall, also Democrats.

Adam Register, a Democrat, is the only individual seeking the District 6 seat on the board of education.

Those who have qualified to run for the office of constable are: Garry Sanders, a Republican, for Precinct 1; Joe Lewis Green, a Democrat, for Precinct 2; John Sanders Jr., a Democrat, for Precinct 5; Scott Flowers and Marvin "Pete" Jordan, both Republicans, for Precinct 6; James Price, a Republican for Precinct 12; Bruel A. Davis, a Republican, for District 15-1 and Stephen Green, a Democrat, for Precinct 18.

The Primary Election will be June 6 with run-offs on June 27. July 3 is the last day for independent and third party candidates to file petitions for ballot access for the Nov. 7 General Election.