Qualifying update given
Candidates begin to qualify for local high-profile races
Several high-profile races are starting to take shape in Jackson County as qualifying opened this week for July’s primary balloting. Qualifying will close on Friday at noon. Voters have until June 16 to register to vote in the July 15 party primaries.
Candidates qualify either as a Democrat or a Republican. So far in local county races, no Democrats have qualified to be on the ballot.
Non-Partisan elections will be held in November. That will include the three judges of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit. Judge Bob Adamson reportedly plans to retire. Curry Mingledorf of Winder has announced plans to see Adamson’s vacated seat.
TOP RACES
One of the leading races in the Jackson County area looks to be that for district attorney of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, which covers both counties. A year of controversy has surrounded that office following last year’s arrest and later conviction of former DA Tim Madison, his wife and a former ADA on theft charges.
After Madison’s resignation last summer, Rick Bridgeman of Hoschton was appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue to fill the DA’s seat. Bridgeman now faces two challengers for the seat, former ADA Brad Smith of Hoschton and Jefferson attorney Donna Golden.
Jackson will also have a contested sheriff race. Long-time incumbent Stan Evans is being challenged by former Hoschton councilman Jim Keinard.
In county government races, Hunter Bicknell of Hoschton has qualified for chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners to replace incumbent Pat Bell, who is not running for re-election. Bicknell is expected to face Ron Johnson for the chairman’s seat, although Johnson had not qualified as of press time.
BOC District 2 incumbent Jody Thompson will also have opposition from Chas Hardy.
Jackson County races
(qualified as of Wednesday)
Jackson BOC Chairman
Hunter Bicknell
Jackson BOC District 1
Tom Crow (incumbent)
Jackson BOC District 2
Chas Hardy
Jody Thompson (incumbent)
Jackson BOE Post 1
No one was qualified at press time
Jackson BOE Post 4
Lynne Wheeler (incumbent)
Sheriff
Stan Evans (incumbent)
Jim Keinard
Surveyor
Dan Venalbe (incumbent)
Clerk of Courts
Camie Thomas (incumbent)
Solicitor State Court
Don Moore (incumbent)
Probate Judge
Margaret Deadwyler (incumbent)
Magistrate Judge
Billy Chandler (incumbent)
Coroner
Keith Whitfield (incumbent)
State Court Judge
Jerry Gray (incumbent)
Tax Commissioner
Don Elrod (incumbent)
State Races
(qualified as of Wednesday)
U.S. Representataive
Paul Broun (incumbent) (R)
Barry Fleming (R)
Bobby Saxon (D)
Area Race Rundown
(As of press time Wednesday. All are Republicans.)
District Attorney
Piedmont Judicial Circuit
(includes Jackson and Barrow Counties)
Rick Bridgeman (incumbent)
Donna Golden
Brad Smith
State Senate District 47
(parts of Jackson & Barrow)
No one was qualified at press time
District 31 State House
of Representatives
(Parts of Jackson and Barrow Counties)
Tommy Benton (incumbent)
State Senate District 49
(part of Jackson)
Lee Hawkins (incumbent)
