Only One Local Race Is Contested
Election year in Jasper County would not be very interesting, if not for region and statewide races.
Three school board seats were up for election this year, and all three incumbents qualified last week, and no one qualified to run against them so Bobby Norris, District 1; Shannon Barton, District 3, and Lewis Rice, District 5, will remain in their positions.
For the county commission, Districts 2 and 4 were up for election after short two-year terms. Former long-time commissioner Charles Hill qualified to run as a Democrat against Bruce Henry, a Republican for County Commission District 2. District 4 Commissioner D. Craig Salmon faces no opposition.
In addition, State Rep. Susan Holmes (R-Monticello) faces no opposition, and neither does State Senator Burt Jones (R-Jackson).
{{more}}
However, there is no shortage of action for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Saxby Chambliss. A dozen people have qualified to seek that position.
They include Republicans Arthur A. “Art” Gardner, an Atlanta attorney; David A. Perdue, an Atlanta businessman; Derrick E. Grayson, a network engineer from Redan; J.H. Jack Kingston of Savannah, a congressman from the state’s 1st District; J.P. “Phil” Gingrey of Marietta, a physician and congressman from the state’s 11th district; Karen Handel of Alpharetta, owner of Handel Strategy Group, and Paul Collins Broun, a physician and congressman from the state’s 10th district.
Democrat qualifiers were Branko “Rad” Radulovacki, an Atlanta physician; M. Michelle Nunn of Atlanta, an executive of a non-profit agency; O. “Steen” Miles of Decatur, a retired journalist, and Todd Anthony Robinson, a Columbus educator.
The Libertarian Party also selected Amanda Swafford to run for Sen. Chambliss’ seat.
The U.S. Senate race isn’t the only statewide contest that drew a crowd. Incumbent John Barge announced he was running for governor, opening the race for his seat. Some 15 people qualified for school superintendent.
Qualifying for the District 10 U.S. Congress seat, being vacated by Paul Broun, were Republicans Brian Richard Slowinski of White Plains, a retired businessman; Donna Sheldon of Monroe, a business owner; Gary Gerrard, an attorney; Jody B. Hice of Monroe, a minister; M.A. “Mike” Collins of Jackson, owner Collins Industries; S. Mitchell Swan of Athens, a Marine officer, and Stephen K. Simpson of Milledgeville, a retired military officer.
Only one democrat is seeking the post, and that is I.K. “Ken” Dious of Athens, an attorney.
A complete list of qualifiers for all offices is available on the Georgia secretary of state’s website.
Individuals wanting to run as an independent may qualify Monday, April 28 through noon, Friday, May 2. The second qualifying date for independents is Monday, June 23 through Friday, June 27.
The deadline to register to vote in the May 20 primaries is Monday, April 21. Anyone who is not sure if he or she is registered to vote should check with the registrar’s office. Chief Registrar Carole Norris said about 300 voters names were purged from the voting lists.
Early voting begins Monday, April 28, at the Courthouse, and voters may vote from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Courthouse will be open on Saturday May 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for early voting, and election day is May 20.
Precincts Combined
Several Jasper County precincts have been combined. Those who normally voted in Hillsboro or Smith, Jordan, Lazenby will not vote in Monticello at the Courthouse.
Those who have voted in Shady Dale will now vote in Farrar at the fire department on Hwy. 142. Those who previously voted at North Alcovy Fire Department will now vote at the Jackson Lake Fire Department.
New cards will be mailed to all voters, and it will tell the voting place.
