Following the qualifying deadline last Friday, voters in Escambia County now have a clear picture of their choices of candidates vying for office.

Among this election year’s candidates are several challengers to county incumbents including James Hilton Hall, Jr. – Dem.  who will face Brandon Smith – Rep. in the race for county commissioner in district four.

Hall, who held the county commissioner position in district four from 2000 to 2004, said he has spent significant time and resources furthering his knowledge of how to be an effective commissioner since he vacated the seat eight years ago, as well as while on the job.

“I put a lot of time and effort to graduate from the   AlabamaCounty Commissioer’s Association school Auburn has for the commission so I can work for the people of district four and make sure they get their money’s worth,” Hall said.

Halls said he took the seminar-based classes during his first term. They focused on a wide array of topics pertinent to a commissioner’s job, ranging from Ethics to law and budgeting.

Among his plans for district four if elected will be aggressively pursuing funds for needed improvements Hall said.

“The money is not going to come to you,” he said. “You have to go out and get it.”

Hall, who makes his living as a private farmer, said his occupation as a self-employed citizen allows him to operate on a much more flexible schedule and would allow him more time to travel to Montgomery and spend the needed hours necessary for securing funds for his district.

Hall is a member of the Atmore First Assembly of God, the Canoe Civic Center and a former member of the Alabama Cattleman’s Association.