TUPELO – A dozen men and women crowded the lobby of the Lee County Circuit Clerk's office late Tuesday afternoon as last-minute filers qualified to run in this year's elections.

In the end, 65 candidates put themselves up for office as Democrats, Republicans and a few independents.

Only a few offices will see their current officials return without opposition – Coroner Carolyn Gillentine Green, County Surveyor Carl Scherff, Tax Assessor Mark "Winky" Weathers, Supervisor Tommie Lee Ivy, Justice Judge Rickey W. Thompson and Constable "Punnie" Lyles.

Everybody else has opposition for another four-year term, which begins in January.

Among the late events for qualifying:

• Tupelo attorney Brian Neely changed from a Democrat to an independent, assuring himself of a spot on the Nov. 8 ballot with Democratic incumbent James Moore and Republican Kirk Tharp.

• Pam Lane Derden qualified as an independent against longtime Chancery Clerk Bill Benson, a Republican.

• Tax Collector Leroy Belk Jr., a Democrat, was among the last to qualify. He is opposed by Republican Danny T. Mitchell.

• Phil Gann, considered the longest-serving constable around, got a challenge from fellow Democrat Reginald Adams in District 3.

Read Wednesday's Daily Journal for complete details about candidates. Or come back to NEMS360.com for more updates.