Busy Day One For Qualifying

A number of local candidates have thrown their hat in the ring for races in Stephens County.

As of 4 p.m., there are two races that are currently contested.

One is the sheriff’s race, where Republican incumbent Randy Shirley is being challenged by Republican Jim Davis.

The other is Post 2 of the Stephens County Commision, where Republican incumbent Debbie Whitlock has qualified, as has Republican challenger Jonesy Haygood.

Elsewhere, locally, a number of other incumbents have qualified for re-election.

Those include Republican Tax Commissioner Dene Hicks.

“It is a true honor and privilege to serve the people of our county,” said Hicks.  “I thank each of you for your support during this current term and would appreciate your support during the upcoming elections.”

Hicks said she feels like her office, with the help of the county’s citizens, has accomplished a lot over the last four years.

“Of course, our collection rate is excellent for this area,” said Hicks.  “I am very proud of the folks of our county that they make it a priority to pay their taxes every year.  During this last term, we have updated several technologies.  We have a new server in the office.  We have fixed some information so that we store that information in multiple places.”

She also points to constantly changing legislation as something her office has always dealt with and will likely continue to deal with in the years ahead.

Republican Clerk of Court Tim Quick, Republican Post 3 County Commissioner Dennis Bell, Democratic State Court Solicitor Willie Woodruff, Republican Board of Education At-Large member Tony Crunkleton, non-partisan Chief Magistrate Don Tabor, non-partisan Probate Judge Glenda Ernest, and non-partisan State Court Judge James Irvin.

Qualifying runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon Friday at the Stephens County Registrar’s Office for local races.

State race qualifying takes place in Atlanta.

As of this morning, a number of candidates have qualified for state level races of local note.

Incumbent Doug Collins and challenger Roger Fitzpatrick have  both qualified as Republicans for the 9th District U.S. House seat in northeast Georgia.

Incumbent John Wilkinson has qualified as a Republican for re-election to the 50th District State Senate seat he currently holds.

Also qualifying for re-election to the 28th District State House seat is incumbent Republican Dan Gasaway.

Two candidates have qualified as Republicans for the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s seat.  They are George Christian and Bruce Russell, Jr.