Republicans and Democrats in Franklin County have chosen their candidates for sheriff.

Republicans have selected longtime sheriff's office Lt. Ewell Hunt, and Democrats have chosen Capt. W.Q. "Billy" Overton.

Overton's father, Sheriff W.Q. "Quint" Overton has held the office since 1976 but announced his retirement in March.

Although some hope the race will boil down to the issues, others feel the election will not be decided on politics, but a last name: Overton.

"It all depends on the Overton name and the popularity it carries," said George Sterling, head of the Republican Committee. "Ewell has the experience, but Billy has the name."

Two others, Wayne Hodges and Lynn Frith, have filed to run as independents for the position. The filing deadline for any other independent candidates is today.

With the sheriff's race so closely contested, Joe Stanley, head of the Franklin County Democratic Committee, said the name Overton works in the favor of the younger Overton.

"With the name Overton, you know you're going to get a good person for sheriff," Stanley said. "This is about name recognition, and it's overwhelmingly in his favor."

Sterling said although many people will vote for the younger Overton because of his father, others might shy away from voting because of what his son is not.

"A lot of people who like Quint Overton don't think his son would measure up to him," Sterling said. "Billy lost the clerk of court race eight years ago, so the name didn't help him then. You just never know how it's going to go."

Sterling said the sheriff's race is one of two races in the county that both parties are trying to win.

The other is the 9th House District seat left open by the retirement of Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount.