The filing period began today and will run through noon on February 28.

Those incumbents submitting statements are commissioners Vernon Bryant and Rives Manning, Clerk of Court Becky Spragins and Sheriff Wes Tripp.

The only challenger to file today was Michael Hawkins of Roanoke Rapids, who is challenging Spragins for the clerk of court position.

Incumbent Patrick Qualls filed for his at-large county commissioner seat.

The statements are as follows:

Vernon J. Bryant, incumbent Halifax County Board of Commissioner

Vernon J. Bryant filed for re-election to the Halifax County Board of Commissioners as an at-large candidate.

During his two previous terms, his focus has been and continues to be about job creation, education, public safety and the well-being of senior citizens.

He will also continue to be a strong advocate for maintaining property tax rates as low as possible.

Bryant has served as chairman for the Halifax County Board of Commissioners for four years.

Vernon is a 1975 graduate of Weldon High School and 1979 graduate of Fayetteville State University, obtaining a bachelor of science degree in intermediate education with a minor in history.

He completed the North Carolina Department of Correction Leadership Development Program in 2001.

Bryant was employed by the state of North Carolina for 30 years and retired in 2009 as community corrections manager.

He was twice nominated as the NCDOC nominee for the prestigious Dr. John R. Larkins Human Service Award.

At the conclusion of his tenure, he was awarded the Order of Long Leaf Pine and The Old North State Award for exemplary service to the state of North Carolina.

Bryant demonstrated his commitment to service to the community for more than 38 years by serving on many state and local boards as well as coaching youth soccer and basketball.

Vernon served as past chairman of the Halifax Regional Medical Center Board of Directors, the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Education for 13 years and served five of those as chairman.

Vernon served as president of Exodus for Youth mentor organization for 21 years and currently serves on the local State Employees’ Credit Union Advisory Board.

Vernon is married to the former Sandra Walden and they are the parents of two adult children, Kendel Bryant Phillips and Kevin Walden Bryant.

Bryant is the son of the late Julius and Neva Bryant of Halifax. His mother-in-law is Mrs. Arizona Putney of Roanoke Rapids. His older brother is the late Rev. Dr. Eugene Bryant who served as a pastor and Halifax County commissioner until his untimely death in 2002.

Bryant’s philosophy is “if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.”

He encourages residents and voters to become a fan of his Facebook page.

In addition to his re-election to the Halifax County Board of Commissioners, Bryant strongly supports the re-election of J. Rives Manning Jr. and Patrick Qualls in their bids for re-election to Halifax County Board of Commissioners as well.

J. Rives “Judge” Manning, incumbent Halifax County Board of Commissioners

I, J. Rives “Judge” Manning Jr., am announcing that I have filed for re-election to the office of Halifax County commissioner.

I believe that I have helped bring good, sound and conservative leadership to our county government.

I am running for one of the “at large” seats. I will be on the ballot in the Democratic primary in May.

I am a lifelong resident of Halifax County. I graduated from Roanoke Rapids High School and NC State College with a degree in animal science. I served in the US Army in 1962-63. I have been an insurance agent in Halifax County for over 45 years.

My wife, Judy S. Manning, died in 2014. We were the parents of two sons, John and Arlie, and have one granddaughter “Charlie.”

I am an active member of the Rosemary United Methodist Church. I also participate in the West-side Community Watch group and the Halifax County Historical Association.

I am an active member of American Legion Post 98, in Halifax, the Joseph Montfort Amphitheater Committee and have served on several committees of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina and I previously served on the Crop Insurance Task Force of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.

I believe that all levels of government should serve all the people.

I believe, that since I was first elected, we have seen our Halifax County government become more responsive to the needs of the citizens.

I believe that all property owners should pay their taxes. I have strived to maintain a low property tax rate in Halifax County.

In the past few years we have had several new businesses come to Halifax County.

Even in these tough economic times we have had announcements of other businesses, bringing several hundred new jobs to Halifax County.

We have seen the completion of the new Halifax-Northampton County Airport and we have worked with several existing businesses to retain and grow their business. We have had the Reser’s Fine Foods 500-job expansion. We have had the opening and growth of Pelican Packaging; the Center for Energy Education; AEL SPAN at the old Safelite plant and Culpeper Wood Preservers.

While serving as one of your county commissioners, I have represented and served on several committees and boards.

Some of those that I serve on are: the Halifax County Department of Social Services Board; the Halifax County Economic Development Commission; the Roanoke River Basin Association; the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council; the 4-Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Council.

I have worked to serve all the citizens of Halifax County. I solicit your support and your vote in the upcoming Democratic Primary on May 8.

I strongly support the following experienced candidates for Halifax County Commissioner J. Rives Manning Jr., Vernon J. Bryant and Patrick Qualls.

I request that you support and vote for the other experienced candidates also.

Becky Spragins, incumbent Halifax County clerk of superior court

I am excited to announce that I am seeking re-election as your clerk of superior court.

I am honored to have served as your clerk for the last 18 years and am asking for your continued support as I seek re-election.

As many of you know I have been there when you lost a loved one or gained a new loved one through adoption, explained the foreclosure process, eased your mind when you were called as a juror.

Being the clerk of court is more than a title to me. As your clerk of court I will continue to serve you to best of my ability.

I believe that my experience is of utmost importance in offering you the excellent public service that you deserve as citizens of Halifax County.

Thanks so much for your support once again.

I am asking for your support once again, so please vote Becky Spragins, clerk of court.

Wes Tripp, incumbent sheriff

Today I filed for re-election to the office of sheriff of Halifax County.

I have been serving the citizens of Halifax County for the past 33 years, starting in 1984 as a jailer and working and supervising every position within the sheriff’s office.

I was appointed sheriff in August of 2013 to fill the unexpired term of retired Sheriff Jeff Frazier then later elected to the office in November 2014.

I have a positive working relationship with our court system and other law enforcement agencies surrounding the Roanoke Valley. These relationships are paramount because “Working together works!”

While serving as your sheriff, we are continuously seeking ways to better serve our communities and improve relations between the community and the sheriff’s office.  

We strive every day to accomplish this. Citizen respect for law enforcement must be earned, but law enforcement respect for citizens is a requirement.

One of our focal points is our ongoing project of Benefitting the Children of Halifax County.  

To date, we have raised thousands of dollars to benefit several organizations that care for our kids.  

Our annual Deputy Toy Drive and Coat Drive also helps our less fortunate families.  

We have established a food pantry on site to assist those in need.  

We will continue to assist and partner with many local groups with their fundraisers to help our citizens with their specific needs.  

During my watch as sheriff, we have increased patrols in all areas of Halifax County to better serve and protect our citizens.  

I believe in being available and accessible.

In my many years of service, I have always concentrated on working for the victims and their families by providing resources and outlets for victim services.

Family is and always has been important to me.  

Many of you know my wife of 33 years, Karen. We have a son, Wes III, who is in his final year of law school at Campbell in Raleigh.

Karen retired from Halifax County and now works for Halifax Regional Medical Center.  

We reside in Roanoke Rapids.  We are proud to call Halifax County home.

As the elected sheriff of Halifax County, I work for you, the citizens.  

I ask for your continued support and vote in 2018.