Two names on Republican ballot for Peach commission seat, but votes count for only one

Two Republican candidates’ names are on the May primary ballot for the at-large Peach County Commission seat, but only votes cast for Byron businessman Wade Yoder will count.

That’s because Brian Smisson, the finance director for the city of Fort Valley, withdrew from the race last month, said Marsha Gosier, interim elections supervisor for Peach County.

“He is a withdrawn candidate, and any votes cast for him do not count,” Gosier said.

Smisson submitted a signed affadavit withdrawing from the race April 18, Gosier said.

Efforts to reach Smisson about his withdrawal from the race were unsuccessful.

In the November general election, Yoder, 46, who owns a gym and tanning facility and a building storage business, will square off against Kattie Vinson Kendrick, 67, a retired civilian worker at Robins Air Force Base and the assistant treasurer for the Peach County Democratic Party.

The winner in November takes the District 5 post now held by Melvin Walker, who did not seek re-election.

State law requires prominent posting of notices at polling places that Smisson has withdrawn from the race and that votes for him will not count.

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 6:38 PM with the headline "Two names on Republican ballot for Peach commission seat, but votes count for only one."