Beatty to run for BOC chairman
Former commissioner qualified Fri.
BY ANGELA GARY
Just before qualifying ended Friday, former commissioner Tony Beatty qualified to run for chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.
Beatty will face Hunter Bicknell and Ron Johnson, both of whom qualified earlier last week, in the Republican primary in July. No Democrats qualified. Incumbent Pat Bell is not seeking re-election.
In other last-minute qualifying, a challenger qualified to run against District 1 commissioner Tom Crow, a Republican. Amanda Spivey, also a Republican, qualified Thursday. No Democrats qualified.
In the District 2 BOC race, incumbent Jody Thompson will face challenger Chas Hardy. Both are Republicans. No Democrats qualified.
As for the Jackson County Board of Education, one incumbent faces opposition, while another does not.
In the BOE Post 1 race, incumbent Michael Cronic will face Brett Schwartz. Both are Republicans. No Democrats qualified.
In the only other county race, long-time Sheriff Stan Evans and former Hoschton council member Jim Keinard will face off in the Republican primary. No Democrats qualified.
In the Piedmont Judicial Circuit district attorney’s race, incumbent Rick Bridgeman will face Donna Golden Sikes and Brad Smith. All three are Republicans.
In the State Senate District 47 race, incumbent Ralph Hudgens, a Republican, will face Tim Riley, a Democrat.
In the United States Representative District 10 race, incumbent Paul Broun will face Barry Fleming in the Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Bobby Saxon in the General Election in November.
NO OPPOSITION
Incumbents who qualified with no opposition were:
•Surveyor: Dan Venable.
•Clerk of Courts: Camie Thomas.
•State Court solicitor: Don Moore.
•Probate Judge: Margaret Deadwyler.
•Magistrate judge: Billy Chandler.
•Coroner: Keith Whitfield.
•Tax commissioner: Don Elrod.
•District 31 State House of Representative, Tommy Benton.
•State Senate District 49, Lee Hawkins.
•County board of education, Post 4 seat, Lynn Wheeler.
