Tim Womack Is Sworn; Voters Return To Polls Tuesday, May 21

Tim Womack was sworn in to serve on the Monticello City Council last Thursday morning at the Blaque Butterfly in Monticello where the City Council had a retreat that day.

Jasper County Probate Judge Andrea Brown did the honors of swearing in the new councilman. He was elected in a run-off vote last Tuesday.

Jasperites will head to the polls again on May 21, and early voting for those races starts April 29.

Constitutional officers who are seeking re-election without opposition include Sheriff Donnie Pope, Tax Commissioner Angela Walsh, Clerk of Court LeAnn Airington, Probate Judge Andrea Brown, and Surveyor Robert Jordan. Also running without opposition is Fifth District County Commissioner Steven Ledford.

Michele Celani and Matt Kelly will fill the Jasper County Board of Education seats up for election this year, as no one else qualified. Ms. Celani will fill the District 4 seat being vacated by Bill Schilling, and Mr. Kelly will take the place of Erin Lynch on the board for District 2.

District 1 Commissioner Shelia Gantt Pounds is being challenged by David McGuire on the Democratic ticket. Incumbent District 3 Commissioner Don Jernigan is being challenged by Rob Alexander and Chris Blakely.

Another hotly contested race is that of Chief Magistrate. Incumbent Tim Lam is being challenged by John Henderson and Chrissy Pitts Mason. The coroner race is also contested, with incumbent Billy Norris being challenged by his deputy coroner Tom Satterley.

Sen. Rick Williams is being challenged by Leland Jake Clinger.

There are also several judgeships on the ballot, as well as public opinion questions…which are different on the Republican and Democratic ballots.

The Jasper County Republican party is hosting a candidate forum next Tuesday, April 23, at 6 pm. in the small courtroom upstairs at the Courthouse. All candidates have been invited, according to information from the party.

For full information, voters may visit the Jasper County Probate Court in the front of the Courthouse or go to the Secretary of State website.