Several Candidates Enter Races on Day 1 of Qualifying

Qualifying is underway in Hart and Franklin Counties for County Commission and Board of Education races.

In Hart County, Districts 2 and 4 of both the Hart County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education are open this election year.  According to Elections Coordinator Robin Webb, Frankie Teasley, the Incumbent, for County Commission District 2 has qualified.  He is being challenged by Colt Bennett who also qualified on Monday.  District 4 seat is held by Ricky Carter.  As of 3:30pm on Monday, Carter had not yet qualified.  On the Board of Education, the District 2 seat is held by Henley Cleary, and the District 4 seat is held by Richard Sutherland.  Neither incumbents had qualified as of 3:30pm on Monday.  Qualifying is being done at the Hart County Board of Elections office on Cade Street in Hartwell through Friday, March 11 at noon.

In Franklin County, two District seats are open on the Board of Commissioners.

They are Districts 3 and 4 currently held by Commissioners Ryan Swails and Eddie Wester respectively.  Both Swails and Wester said they do not plan to seek another term.  According to Elections Superintendent Gina Banister, so far, Elizabeth Martin Busby and Jeff Jacques have qualified for District 3.  Cole Roper has qualified for District 4

In the Board of Education races, Posts 3, 4, and 5 are up for grabs.  Those seats are currently held by Randall Gailey, Post 3; Board Vice-Chair Alan Mitchell, Post 4; and Board Chair Robin Cato, Post 5.  Banister says as of 3:30pm on Monday, both Mitchell and Cato have qualified for their respective posts

In Franklin County, qualifying is being held at the Franklin County Board of Elections and Registrations office this week from 9:00am to 4:30pm through Thursday and from 9:00am until noon on Friday.

All of the qualifying candidates in both counties so far have been Republicans.  The General Primary will be held on Tuesday, May 24, and the General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8.