The Democratic Party of Prince Edward County will nominate a candidate for the Prince Edward Circuit Court position of clerk by caucus, according to the party’s chairman Taikein Cooper.

“We haven’t set the date yet, we have a committee that will establish that,” Cooper said. “If anyone’s interested in seeking a nomination they should feel free to reach out to me.”

Prince Edward County Circuit Court Clerk Machelle J. Eppes is retiring April 1 and will be replaced by Chief Deputy Lynnette Coe, who is set to take over the same day. According to Virginia State Code, the chief deputy automatically presumes the role of clerk in the event of retirement.

Coe said she does plan on running and that she’s seeking the Democratic nomination.

“She told me that she will definitely be seeking the democratic nomination but she hasn’t received the nomination yet,” Cooper said regarding Coe.

He said at this time three people are seeking the nomination, two in addition to Coe.

“I don’t know whether they’ll proceed with it or not,” Cooper said regarding the two additional people seeking the nomination.

He said the nomination is an open process, “so anyone that’s interested, you don’t have to be a member of the party to receive the nomination.”

Regarding himself, he said he was not one of the three people who have expressed interest but that he hasn’t said that he won’t run.

“Mrs. Eppes’ term does not expire until 2023, so because we’re midterm for her, the county has got to file a petition to ask the court if they can have a special election,” Coe said previously. “We’re sorry to see Machelle leave, but we hope that she’ll go on and enjoy her retirement, and I’m excited to be appointed.”

She said Eppes is fully endorsing her run for clerk.

“Most of all I’ve enjoyed working with the public, working with the girls in my office, working with the judges,” Eppes said regarding her time spent as the circuit court clerk.

She thanked God for helping her through her time as Circuit Court clerk. Prior to being elected clerk, she served as deputy clerk starting February 1988.