Qualifying in the midstate: Who's in as of Friday
It was busy week for politics in Middle Georgia as numerous candidates qualified to run in multiple local, state and federal races.
In Bibb County, former Macon Mayor C. Jack Ellis will face off against interim Tax Commissioner Wade McCord. Meanwhile, the state House of Representatives District 142 race took a turn late this week when longtime legislator Nikki Randall announced she would not seek another term. Three Democrats — former Macon City Council President Miriam Paris, former Councilman Gerald Harvey and Frank Austin, coordinator for the Macon-Bibb County Shalom Zones — took quick steps to qualify in the wake of Randall’s announcement.
Mayor Robert Reichert faces a challenge from former Bibb County Commissioner Lonzy Edwards as well as perennial candidate David Cousino, who is a write-in candidate whose name will not appear on the ballot.
Each of the Macon-Bibb County commissioners will seek another term, and a few will have competition. In District 2, Commissioner Larry Schlesinger will face Stanley Brown, while Commissioner Bert Bivins will square off with Leroy Jarrell in District 5. And in District 6, Commissioner Ed DeFore will be challenged by former County Commissioner Joe Allen and Don Druitt, who retired last year as director of the Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency.
Among the Bibb County school board races, board member Thelma Dillard is pitted against Tina Dennard in District 2, and Jason Downey faces Bob Easter and Valerie Wynn in District 6. A new board member will be elected in District 5 as Sundra Woodford, James Timley and Jerome Collins battle it out for the seat being vacated by the term-limited Tom Hudson.
Also, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis will be on the May 24 ballot to battle Mike Smallwood, a retired sheriff’s captain, and former sheriff’s deputy Tim Rivers.
In other midstate races, Houston County Commission Commissioner Tom McMichael, a Republican, drew a challenge from Democrat Gordon Hicks. The school board’s District 3 features a showdown between current board member David Crockett and Robbin Jackson, and the District 7 at-large post features Andy Rodriquez versus Bryan Upshaw.
Two Peach County Commission posts also have more than one candidate vying for them. For Post 3, Betty Hill will run as a Republican and Billy Crump as a Democrat. The commission’s at-large race features Kattie Kendrick, a Democrat, and Republicans Wade Yoder and Brian Smisson.
Qualifying for state House of Representatives District 144 were Bubber Epps as a Republican and Democrat Joyce Denson.
Qualifying ended Friday at noon. Candidates who qualified are:
BALDWIN COUNTY
Sheriff: Bill Massee (I), Democrat;
Clerk of Superior Court: Mitch Longino, Democrat;
Probate judge (nonpartisan): Todd Blackwell (I);
Tax commissioner: Cathy Freeman Settle (I), Democrat;
Chief magistrate: Shane Geeter (I), Democrat;
Coroner: John Gonzalez (I), Democrat;
County Commission, District 1: Emily C. Davis (I), Democrat;
County Commission, District 2: Tommy Lee French Jr. (I), Democrat; John J. Johnson Jr., Democrat; Linda Diane Easley Fussell, Democrat;
County Commission, District 3: Sammy Hall (I), Republican;
County Commission, District 4: Gary Neil Hogg, Republican; Henry R. Craig (I), Republican;
County Commission, District 5: John H. Westmoreland (I), Republican; Andrew Tyler Strickland, Republican;
School board, District 2 (nonpartisan): Shannon D. Hill; Semetress L. Simmons;
School board, District 3 (nonpartisan): Lynwood E. Chandler (I);
School board, District 4 (nonpartisan): John Noah Jackson (I); Ulysses G. Foston Sr.
County surveyor: Freddie James Taylor Jr., Democrat; James E. Smith Jr. (I), Republican.
BIBB COUNTY
Macon-Bibb County Mayor (nonpartisan): Robert Reichert (I); Lonzy Edwards; David Cousino (write-in);
County Commission, District 1 (nonpartisan): Gary Bechtel (I);
County Commission, District 2 (nonpartisan): Larry Schlesinger (I); Stanley Brown;
County Commission, District 3 (nonpartisan): Elaine Lucas (I);
County Commission, District 4 (nonpartisan): Mallory Jones (I);
County Commission, District 5 (nonpartisan): Bert Bivins (I); Leroy Jarrell;
County Commission, District 6 (nonpartisan): Joe Allen, Don Druitt, Ed DeFore (I);
County Commission, District 7 (nonpartisan): Scotty Shepherd (I);
County Commission, District 8 (nonpartisan): Virgil Watkins (I);
County Commission, District 9 (nonpartisan): Al Tillman (I);
Sheriff: David Davis (I), Democrat; Tim Rivers, Democrat; Mike Smallwood, Democrat;
School board, District 1 (nonpartisan): Ella Carter (I);
School board, District 2 (nonpartisan): Thelma Dillard (I); Tina Dennard;
School board, District 3 (nonpartisan): Susan Sipe (I);
School board, District 4 (nonpartisan): Lester Miller (I); Jeff Moody;
School board, District 5 (nonpartisan): Sundra Woodford; James Timley; Jerome Collins;
School board, District 6 (nonpartisan): Jason Downey (I); Bob Easter; Valerie Wynn;
Tax commissioner: Wade McCord, Democrat; C. Jack Ellis, Democrat;
Solicitor general: Rebecca Grist (I), Democrat;
Superior Court clerk: Erica Woodford (I), Democrat;
Coroner (nonpartisan): Leon Jones, (I);
Water Authority, District 2 (nonpartisan): Javors Lucas (I); Harold Franklin;
Water Authority, District 3 (nonpartisan): Dwight Jones (I);
Probate Court judge (nonpartisan): Sarah Harris (I).
CRAWFORD COUNTY
Sheriff: Lewis S. Walker (I), Democrat;David (Pee Wee) Mathews, Democrat;
Probate judge (nonpartisan): Pam Lewis Busbee (I);
Magistrate judge (nonpartisan): Richard L. Spencer (I); Buddy Hays, Bobby Joe Daniel;
County Commission, District 2: Bobby Blasingame (I), Democrat; Harold D. Spillers, Republican; James L. Bond, Republican;
County Commission, District 3 Justin: Spillers (I), Republican;
County Commission, District 4: John Thomas Sr. (I), Republican;
Tax commissioner: Patrice Walker, Republican; Teresa L. Hortman, Democrat;
Coroner: Sheldon Maddox, Republican; Cindi Petit, Republican; Arnold Walden, Democrat: Allen O’Neal (I), Independent;
Clerk of Superior Court: Ryan Johnson (I), Republican;
School board, District 2 (nonpartisan): Brad Cody (I);
School board, District 3 (nonpartisan): Tim Johnson (I);
School board, District 4 (nonpartisan): Lee Sanders (I).
HOUSTON COUNTY
School board, District 1 (nonpartisan): Rick Unruh (I);
School board, District 3 (nonpartisan): David Crockett (I); Robbin Jackson;
School board, District 5 (nonpartisan): Helen Hughes (I);
School board, District 7, at-large, (nonpartisan): Andy Rodriquez, Bryan Upshaw (I);
County Commission, Post 3: Gail Robinson (I), Republican;
County Commission, Post 4: Larry Thomson (I), Republican;
County Commission, Post 5: Tom McMichael (I), Republican; Gordon Hicks, Democrat;
Sheriff: H. Cullen Talton (I), Republican;
Solicitor general: Amy Smith (I), Republican;
Probate judge: Janice Spires (I), Republican;
Superior Court clerk: Carolyn Sullivan (I), Republican;
Tax commissioner: Mark Kushinka (I), Republican;
Chief magistrate: (nonpartisan) Robert E. “Bob” Turner (I);
Coroner: Danny Galpin (I), Republican.
JONES COUNTY
Sheriff: Butch Reece (I), Republican;
Probate Court judge (nonpartisan): Mike Greene (I);
Coroner: Jerry Bridges Sr. (I), Republican;
County commission chairman: Preston Hawkins (I), Republican; Chris Weidner, Republican;
County commission, District 1: Larry Childs (I), Republican; Sam Kitchens, Republican; Cliff Greene, Republican
County commission, District 2: Jonathan Pitts (I), Democrat; M. John Wood, Republican;
County commission, District 3: Tommy Robinson (I), Republican; William “Lee” Brown Sr., Republican; James Bean, Republican;
County Commission, District 4: Daylon Martin (I), Democrat; Alton West, Republican;
School board, District 2 (nonpartisan): Alfred Pitts (I);
School board, District 4 (nonpartisan): Mark Andrews (I);
Tax commissioner: Brian Jackson (I), Republican;
Superior Court clerk: Bart Jackson (I), Republican.
LAURENS COUNTY
Probate Court judge (nonpartisan): Helen Harper, (I);
Tax commissioner: Ralph Hodges Jackson (I), Republican;
Magistrate judge (nonpartisan): Thomas C. Bobbitt III (I);
Superior Court clerk: Jackie H. Dalton, (I), Republican;
Sheriff: Larry Howard Dean, Republican; Marshall R. Floyd, Republican; W.A. “Bill” Harrell, (I), Democrat;
County Commission, District 2: Lawton Ellis Kemp III (I), Republican;
County Commission, District 3: Jefferson Irwin Davis IV, Republican;
Coroner: Richard N. Stanley III (I), Republican;
School board, District 2 (nonpartisan): James Brown;
School board, District 3 (nonpartisan): Kenneth Brianz Payne (I);
School board, District 5 (nonpartisan): Kenneth Earl Stewart.
MONROE COUNTY
Sheriff: John Cary Bittick (I), Republican; Shane Cook, Republican;
Magistrate judge: Frank “Buck” Wilder (I), Republican;
School board, District 6 (nonpartisan): Stuart Pippin; Wesley Cone; Virginia Wilcox; Michael Turner;
School board, District 4 (nonpartisan): Judy Pettigrew:
School board, District 2 (nonpartisan): Ray Grant;
County Commission chairman: Greg Tapley, Republican; Mike Bilderback (I), Republican;
County Commission, District 1: Larry Evans, Democrat; Robert Grier, Democrat;
County Commission, District 2: Jim Ham (I), Republican; John Martin, Republican;
Coroner: Joey Proctor (I), Republican; Randy Inglett, Republican;
Probate court judge (nonpartisan): Donna Robins;
Tax commissioner: Lori Andrews (I), Republican;
Superior Court clerk: Lynn Ham (I), Republican.
PEACH COUNTY
Tax commissioner: W.L. Brown (I), Democrat;
Coroner: Kerry Rooks (I), Republican;
Superior Court clerk: Joseph Lewis Wilder (I), Democrat;
Magistrate judge (nonpartisan): Laurens Lee (I);
Probate Court judge (nonpartisan): Kimberly Wilson; Karin Vinson;
Sheriff: Terry Deese (I), Democrat;
County Commission, Post 1: Roy Lewis (I), Republican;
County Commission, Post 3: Betty Hill (I), Democrat; Billy Crump, Republican;
County Commission, At-large: Kattie Kendrick, Democrat, Wade Yoder, Republican; Brian Smisson, Republican
School board, Post 1: Ben McDaniel (I), Republican; Shalunda Williams, Democarat;
School board, Post 3: Birdele Jackson, Democrat.
TWIGGS COUNTY
Tax commissioner: E. Walton "Buddy" NeSmith (I), Democrat;
Probate judge: Gary Nobles Jr. (I), Democrat;
Magistrate judge: Greg K. Stone, Democrat; David L. Brown (I), Democrat;
Sheriff: R. Darren Mitchum (I), Democrat;
Coroner: Harold L. Reece Jr., (I), Democrat;
Superior Court clerk: Patti Herrington Grimsley (I), Democrat;
County Commission, chairman: Clyde K. Riggins, Democrat; Ken Fowler, (I), Democrat;
County Commission, District 1: Lonnie Ford, Democrat; Tommie Lee Bryant, (I), Democrat;
County Commission, District 2: Brent Dubois Jr., Republican;
County Commission, District 3: William M. Bond (I), Democrat: James “Paul” White, Republican;
County Commission, District 4: Donald Watson (I), Republican; William “Bill” Powlas, Republican, Steve Birdsong, Democrat;
School board, District 2: Teresa Dupree Blackshear (I), Democrat; Sharon Radebaugh, Republican
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2nd Congressional District: Sanford Bishop (I), Democrat; Greg Duke, Republican; Bobby Scott, Republican; Diane Vann, Republican;
8th Congressional District: James Neal Harris, Democrat; Angela Hicks, Republican; Austin Scott (I), Republican.
U.S. SENATE
Isakson seat: Mary Kay Bacallao, Republican; Jim Barksdale, Democrat; Cheryl Copeland, Democrat; John F. Coyne, Democrat; Derrick “TMOT” Grayson, Republican; Johnny Isakson (I), Republican; James Knox, Democrat.
STATE HOUSE
District 129: Susan Holmes (I), Republican;
District 139: Patty James Bentley (I), Democrat;
District 140: Robert Dickey (I), Republican;
District 141: Allen Peake (I), Republican;
District 142: Frank Austin, Democrat; Gerald Harvey, Democrat; Miriam Paris, Democrat;
District 143: James Beverly (I), Democrat;
District 144: Joyce Denson, Democrat; Bubber Epps (I), Republican;
District 145: Tom Glover, Republican; Floyd Griffin Jr., Democrat; Rusty Kidd (I), Independent; John Reid, Democrat; Harold B. Simmons, Democrat; Ricky A. Williams, Republican;
District 146: Shaw Blackmon (I), Republican;
District 147: Heath Clark (I), Republican;
District 148: Buddy Harden (I), Republican;
District 150: Matt Hatchett (I), Republican.
STATE SENATE
District 18: John F. Kennedy (I), Republican;
District 20: Larry Walker III (I), Republican;
District 25: Burt Jones (I), Republican;
District 26: David Lucas Sr. (I), Democrat.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
District 2: Kellie Pollard Austin, Republican; Tim Echols (I), Republican; Michelle Miller, Republican.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Dublin Judicial Circuit: Craig Fraser (I), Republican;
Houston Judicial Circuit: George Hartwig (I), Republican;
Macon Judicial Circuit: David Cooke (I), Democrat;
Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit: Stephen Bradley (I), Republican;
Oconee Judicial Circuit: Timothy G. Vaughn (I), Democrat.
Towaliga Judicial Circuit: Jonathan Adams, Republican; Richard Milam (I), Republican.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
Nahmias seat (nonpartisan): David Nahmias (I).
STATE COURT OF APPEALS
Barnes seat (nonpartisan): Elizabeth Barnes (I);
McFadden seat (nonpartisan): Chris McFadden (I).
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES
Dublin Circuit, Helton seat (nonpartisan): Jon F. Helton (I);
Dublin Circuit, Flanders seat (nonpartisan): Jud Green; Harold McLendon;
Dublin Circuit, Gillis seat (nonpartisan): Donald W. "Donny" Gillis (I);
Houston Circuit, Lukemire seat (nonpartisan): Edward D. Lukemire (I);
Houston Circuit, Lumsden seat (nonpartisan): Katherine K. Lumsden (I);
Houston Circuit, Nunn seat (nonpartisan): G.E. Bo Adams, Jeffrey L. Grube, Walter G. "Bo" Sammons Jr.; Bonnie “Michelle” Smith;
Macon Circuit, Colvin seat (nonpartisan): Verda M. Colvin (I);
Macon Circuit, Ennis seat (nonpartisan): Edgar William Ennis Jr. (I);
Ocmulgee Circuit, Burleson seat (nonpartisan): Alison T. Burleson (I);
Ocmulgee Circuit, Prior seat (nonpartisan): William A. Prior Jr. (I);
Ocmulgee Circuit, Trammell seat (nonpartisan): Brenda Holbert Trammell (I);
Ocmulgee Circuit, Wingfield seat (nonpartisan): Amanda S. Petty; Dawn M. Baskin; Christian G. Henry;
Oconee Circuit, Johnson seat (nonpartisan): C. Michael “Mike” Johnson (I);
Oconee Circuit, Mullis seat (nonpartisan): H. Frederick Mullis Jr. (I);
Oconee Circuit, Wall seat (nonpartisan): Sarah F. Wall (I);
Towaliga Circuit, Fears seat (nonpartisan): Bill Fears (I).
This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 7:12 PM with the headline "Qualifying in the midstate: Who's in as of Friday."