The filing period will continue through noon Friday, Feb. 29.

Three of the five seats on the Person Board of County Commissioners are up for grabs this year, as is the office of Person County Register of Deeds, one District Court judgeship in District 9-A, and seats in the North Carolina House of Representatives and the North Carolina Senate.

The four-year terms of Commissioners Larry Bowes, Jimmy Clayton and Larry Yarborough will all come to a close this year in December.

However, as of Friday, Clayton is the lone incumbent commissioner who has said he will definitely seek another term.

In a brief statement Friday, Clayton said, “I am going to seek the Democratic nomination for reelection to the Person County Board of County Commissioners. I have enjoyed serving the people of Person County and look forward to serving another term.

I will strive to carry out the will of the majority of the citizens and do what is in the best interest of Person County.”

Clayton is winding up his second term on the county board.

Yarborough said he was undecided about seeking a second term.

“I haven’t decided what I am going to do yet,” Yarborough said Thursday. “I will probably make up my mind by [Feb. 28].”

Yarborough did say that, while he enjoys being a commissioner, “It is hard to find the time to do it all.”

Commissioner Bowes hinted Friday that he might step down from the board seat he earned as a newcomer four years ago.

When asked Friday if he planned to seek reelection, Bowes said, “Probably not.

“There’s still a possibility, but right now I am leaning towards not running again.”

As to why he might give up his seat, Bowes cited “the beating we took over the landfill issue.”

Bowes reported last year that he received a death threat after the Herald-Sun of Durham published a report saying that Bowes was leaning in favor of Republic Services’ request to expand the Upper Piedmont Environmental Landfill. >>

“When people get wicked enough to threaten you…when they get that desperate, it causes me to lose my zest and zeal…That’s not for me,” Bowes said. “I have enjoyed much of it, but if I run again, I would be 72 or 73 before my term ends. I just want to step back and smell the roses some.”

Mandy Garrett, who is completing her fourth consecutive four-year term as the county’s register of deeds, said Thursday she planned to be “the first one to file” Monday when the filing period opens.

“I look forward to hopefully serving the people of Person County for the next four years,” Garrett said Thursday. “I appreciate all the support I have had.

“We have seen this office grow by leaps and bounds and we hope to be relocating soon,” Garrett added. “I enjoy my job and I enjoy serving the people of Person County.”

State Rep. W.A. (Winkie) Wilkins, D-Person, has indicated he will seek a third two-year term in the N.C. House. Wilkins represents House District 50, which encompasses all of Person County and northern Durham County.

Incumbent state Sen. Ellie Kinniard, D-Orange, who represents Orange and Person counties has also said she will seek a new term, but she will be challenged for the Democratic nomination in Distric 23 by Moses Carey, chairman of the Orange Board of County Commissioners.

District Court Judge Mike Gentry is also expected to run again for a District 9-A judgeship, which covers Person and Caswell counties.

Gentry will have to file for his reelection bid in Raleigh, according to Person County Elections Director Brenda Whitlow, while Kinnaird and Carey will file in Orange County.

All five seats on the Person County Board of Education are up for election this year, however, Whitlow noted Thursday, the filing period for that non-partisan election will not begin until noon on Monday, Aug. 4.