TWO NEWCOMERS IN ILLINOIS RACE

Christopher R. Bledsoe of Olive Branch must feel a little left out of things on the political scene in Alexander County.

Bledsoe, 27, of Olive Branch is seeking the county's circuit clerk position, making his first run for a political office.

He can be found on the number 45 slot of the Alexander County General Election ballot in one of two contested local races.

Bledsoe's opponent, Sharon McGinness, of Cairo, is also a newcomer to the political scene. But she has been in the spotlight since her upset victory over four-term incumbent Susan C. Hileman, in the primary.

McGinness, 60, gathered 1,299 votes to defeat Hileman, with 1,089 votes in the Democratic primary.

Bledsoe was unopposed in his primary.

In the other contested race in Alexander County, Jeffrey B. Farris faces McArthur Allen Tuesday. Allen made news when he won a spot on the Republican ballot via a write-in campaign.

Bledsoe has been a familiar figure around the circuit clerk's office recently.

"I've visited the office to get a scope of what my job would be," said Bledsoe, who works in prison corrections at Tamms Correctional Prison. "I wanted to know that I can handle the job."

The Illinois Correctional Department has a leave-of-absence program, where it would relieve Bledsoe of duty while he served as county clerk.

Bledsoe, a native of Alexander County, is a graduate of Egyptian High School, located between Tamms and Olive Branch, and attended Shawnee Community College.

He also served in the United States Air Force about four years.

He and his wife, Alecia, have been married three years.

"I feel I'm an electable candidate," said Bledsoe. "It's tough for Republican candidates in Alexander County. The county is basically a Democratic county. " Bledsoe serves as a precinct committeeman in Olive Branch.

McGinness, who works with her daughter at the McGinness Shopping Center in Cairo, was certified as winner of the primary election for circuit clerk last month.

Incumbent circuit clerk Susan Hileman, had earlier filed for a new election, claiming voting irregularities.

"I won the election and won it fair," said McGinness, who defeated Hileman by more than 200 votes.

McGinness said she had a good feeling about the upcoming election.

"My campaign has been worthwhile thing," she said. "We've worked hard, voters are understanding. I would do it again."

McGinness said she never really thought about politics, but some friends urged her to run.

"I've always lived in this area," she said.

McGinness married Frank McGinness 43 years ago, and the couple have two children, Kim Bohde, and Mark McGinness.

Alexander County Circuit Clerk candidatesSharon McGinness

Age: 60.

Party: Democrat

Profession: Works in florist and gift shop.

Political history: First run in politics.

Family: Married to Frank McGinness, 43 years; two children, four grandchildren.

Christopher B. Bledsoe

Age: 27.

Party: Republican.

Profession: Works at Tamms Correctional Center.

Political history: First run in politics.

Family: Married. He and his wife, Alecia, have no children.