Several Qualify for Public Office

As of Thursday afternoon, with only a half day of qualifying remaining for the July 31 partisan and non-partisan elections, all but one incumbent county commissioner had qualified, and several challengers had also thrown their hats into the ring.

For the non-partisan races, Linda Mock Keller qualified for re-election as Probate Judge. She had no opposition as of close of business Thursday. In addition, both incumbent Ken Jackson and challenger Tim Lam qualified Wednesday morning for the Chief Magistrate position.

Incumbent school board members Paul Kelly and Phyllis Norwood both qualified on opening day, too. Erin Lynch qualified Thursday for the District 2 School Board seat where she will challenge long-time board member Phyllis Norwood.

For the Republicans, two sheriff candidates had qualified–Rick Cook and Donnie Pope. Also, Gregory Sands qualified as a Democrat for sheriff.

In addition, two Republican candidates for tax commissioner qualified–Angela Stone Walsh and Angie Tarleton Steele. They had previously announced their intention to run. Also, Linda Jordan qualified for surveyor.

Incumbent coroner Billy Norris qualified Wednesday as a Democrat to continue as coroner.

One previously unannounced candidate, David Bryant, qualified for the District 2 County Commission seat Wednesday morning. Later qualifying brought more surprises. Lee Simmons and Craig Salmon both qualified for the District 4 Commission post currently held by Mary Patrick. In addition, Doug Luke qualified for the District 5 commission seat.

The other people qualifying for county commission had previously announced their intentions to do so.

They include H.J. “Skip” Nowetner and Gene Trammell (announcement in this week’s paper) in District 3, challenging incumbent Jack Bernard who also qualified. John Hooseline had previously announced his intentions to run for District 4 commissioner, and he qualified Wednesday. Bruce Henry also qualified Thursday for the District 2 commission seat on the Republican ballot. Incumbent County Commission Chairman Alan Cox also qualified Wednesday. Their names will all appear on the Republican ballot.

On the Democcratic side, incumbent commissioners Charles Hill and Carl Pennamon both qualified Wednesday, and had no challengers at the end of business Thursday, but Democrats were able to qualify until 6 p.m. Thursday.

On the state level, State Rep. Susan Holmes of Monticello qualified Wednesday morning, as did Sen. Johnny Grant of Milledgeville. Robert Kent, also of Milledgeville, has also qualified for the senate seat. All three are running as Republicans. Sen. Grant also has a Democratic challenger, Darrell Black, also of Milledgeville.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul Broun qualified Wednesday, and visited Monticello Wednesday afternoon. Challenging Rep. Broun is Stephen Simpson of Milledgeville. Jasper County is currently in Austin Scott’s district, but because of statewide redistricting will be in the district that Rep. Broun is in now.

Incumbent District Attorney for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Fred Bright qualified opening day, and had no opposition by the close of business Thursday.

Four of the five sitting judges for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, James L. Cline, Jr., Hulane E. George, William A. Prior, Jr. and Hugh V. Wingfield, III, have qualified. Judge John Lee Parrott has resigned, and no one had qualified for his position as of mid-morning Thursday. Sources say the governor will appoint a judge to serve, with an election for that seat occuring later.

Qualifying continues through Friday noon, and updates will be posted on the Monticello News website.