Today was the deadline for filing qualifying papers to run in the upcoming Cumberland County Republican and Democrat May Primaries for county office holders.  As best we can determine, this is the first time in the history of the county there is no opposing party candidates for any of the races in the May 1st Primary election.  For Sheriff – Casey Cox is the only candidate running, meaning he will have no opponent in either the Republican Primary election or General Election.  The same is true for incumbent Jule Bryson, County Court Clerk.  The same is true for incumbent Judy Graham Swallows, Register of deeds.  And County Trustee incumbent Kim Tollett Wyatt.   As of noon today, these County elected office holders are automatically in to serve another four-year term.  Now, there are same party opponents for the other offices up for grabs – but all are running in the Republican Primary.    Whoever wins their respective Republican Primary will have no Democrat opponent in the August General Election – so essentially, whoever wins the Republican Primary in May will be the winner in August (with the exception of County Mayor which will have an Independent candidate – Sandy Davis)  There may not be any Democrats running for County Mayor, but there’s plenty of candidates in the Republican Primary.  J.C Hancock, Danny Wyatt, Allen Foster, Doug Scarlett, Tim Claflin, Randal Kidwell and Ligue Wisdom who turned his qualifying papers in today – three hours before the deadline.  The office of County Road Superintendent will have three candidates in the Republican Primary. They are incumbent Scott Blaylock, Stanley Hall and Kevin Music. There will be two running for office of Circuit Court Clerk. They are Jessica Burgess and Nick Neal.  Again – only in the Republican Primary.  No Democrat candidates are running in either of these races.