The first day of filing brought out incumbents and a first-time candidate running for Edgecombe County Sheriff.

Beginning noon Monday, individuals were able to file for one of 12 offices up for re-election in this year's elections.

"There are 22 incumbent positions open, and we're looking for all of them to file," said Director of Elections the Rev. Jerry Spruill. "We're expecting them to come periodically until the Feb. 26 deadline unless something out of the ordinary happens."

County Commissioner T.C. Cherry has decided not to run for re-election but is instead endorsing Donald Boswell who filed today to run for Cherry's District 6 seat. Cherry is endorsing Boswell.

"I knew that T.C. was having some health issues, and we had been talking about it for a few years," Boswell said. "I was born here in Edgecombe County, I've been here all my life and raised my family here. I am interested in what the future holds."

Boswell, 55, has been self-employed since 1977.

The first in line to file was Edgecombe County Sheriff James Knight. With several deputies and his wife showing support, Knight, 49, paid his $524.44 filing fee and processed all of the necessary paperwork.

"I want to thank you all for coming out," he said to his colleagues. "Thank you so much."

Knight has been sheriff since 1997, initially coming into the position to finish out the term of Phil Ellis. Knight has been re-elected ever since.

John Wilson, 40, began the process of filing his candidacy for the county's sheriff's position within the same hour as Knight.

"I am running for a position that the county is offering," Wilson said. "If people are not happy this is the time for change."

Wilson is currently an automotive technician but was a police officer in Middlesex, Bunn and Newton Grove before choosing to leave law enforcement upon the birth of his first child. Prior to that he was an automotive technician in New York.

Wilson also was the owner of The Country Tavern on N.C. 33 formerly known as Riverside Private Club until the nation's economic state proved to be too much, and Wilson had to close the doors.

"We'll make a change for the people of Edgecombe County," he said, "to make them feel safe and secure. People are tired of politicians. I'm doing it for the people."

State Sen. Clark Jenkins also saw fit to get filing out of the way Monday.