Hart County Voters to Decide Two Local Races and One Referendum

In addition to voting for a President, as well as a number of State and Federal races, voters in Hart County are casting ballots in several local races and one special election.

Hart County voters choosing a Tax Commissioner and a County Commissioner for District 1.

Republican Incumbent Karen Martin is running to keep her seat as Tax Commissioner against Democratic challenger Brad Goss.

One Republican, Michael Bennett, and one Democrat, David Cook, are running against two independents, James Herman Fulghum, and the incumbent, RC Oglesby, for the District 1 County Commission post.

Earlier this month, Governor Brian Kemp suspended Oglesby as Commissioner for District 1 on the recommendation of a specially appointed Review Commission, which determined his indictment earlier this year under the RICO Act adversely affects the administration of the office of Commissioner, and that the rights and interests of the public were also adversely affected.

Oglesby’s attorney is appealing that executive order claiming his duties as Commissioner have nothing to do with the alleged crimes with which he has been charged.

Hart County voters will also be deciding on a Liquor by the Drink referendum in a special election.

In July, the Hart County Board of Commissioners approved the referendum for the November ballot.

If approved by voters, liquor of the drink sales would be allowed in restaurants and private clubs, as well as non-profit civic groups who would be allowed to serve liquor by the drink at special events.

Commission Chair Joey Dorsey noted in July that if passed, the liquor-by-the-drink referendum would put the County on a level playing field with the City of Hartwell, which already allows such sales.