Yr in Review: 2014 Elections

As we continue our look back at 2014 this week, 2014 was an election year, at the local, state and federal levels.

In addition to the regular mid-term State and Federal races, voters began the year deciding on local races, including two special elections in Hart County and two referendums.

In January, qualifying began to fill the District 2 seat on the Hart County Board of Commissioners left vacant with the death of Dan Reyen in November 2013.

Five candidates qualified, but the March 18th election ended with a run-off between Frankie Teasley and Gary Hamilton.  That run-off election on April 15th was a tie with each candidate receiving exactly 50% of the vote.

Called into question were two provisional votes which meant all votes had to be recounted by hand by then-Probate Judge Bob Smith two days later.

On April 17, a group of onlookers consisting of the two candidates, their supporters and the media, crowded into the tiny records room of the Probate Judge’s office to witness the recount.  When it was over, Smith announced the winner.

“The results are, Garry Hamilton zero, Frankie Teasley two,” said Smith late Wednesday morning.

No sooner was that special election over when qualifying began for a slew of local races in both Hart and Franklin Counties.

Both counties had seats open on their respective Boards of Commission and Boards of Education.

One of the bigger upsets in those elections was in Franklin County where District 4 incumbent Commissioner Clint Harper lost his bid for re-election to challenger Eddie Wester.

As he ended his term in office, Harper said Harper said the past four years have been a challenge.

“Not only for our government, but for all governments in the state,” he said. “We’ve been through one of the worst economic crisis that I can remember. I’m proud of the fact that during that time we’ve had no property tax increase. Overall however, it’s been a good four years.” –

Harper predicts the hospital’s financial crisis will likely be one of the biggest issues facing the board and incoming board member Eddie Wester next year.

In Hart County, voters went to the polls in November to choose a new Probate Judge after the sudden resignation of Bob Smith in July.

Five candidates vied to fill Smith’s unexpired term. They included, Priscilla Kay Ankerich, Thaddeus Keith Cheek, Merry Pilgrim Kirk, Jon David Scott, and Todd C. Townsend.

But no candidate got the required 51% of the vote. And on December 2nd, voters went back to polls to choose between Interim Probate Judge Merry Kirk, and Todd Townsend.

From the seven precincts reporting, a total of 2,897 day-of and early votes were cast. Kirk received 1,679 votes. That’s 57.96% of vote. Townsend garnered 1,218 votes or 42.04%.

Kirk said later she was glad the process was finally over.

“It’s been hard. It’s been hard trying to work and run a campaign too,” she said. “I don’t know what I would have done without my family and friend’s support. It’s been really incredible, and I really appreciate the voters of Hart County putting the trust in me that they have to serve as their Probate Judge for the next two years.”

Hart County voters also said yes to the eSPLOST.   The tally came in at 3,917 Yes votes over 2,950 No votes.

“I think it’s a great day for Hart County schools, Hart County teachers and more importantly Hart County students,” said Hart County School Superintendent Jerry Bell after the final votes were counted.

The penny sales tax will pay for an agricultural science facility, a new high school gym and wellness center, and a college and career academy.

The Hart County School Board is hoping to collect over $82-million over the next five years in sales tax revenue, monies that will also be used to make other educational improvements at all Hart County schools.

“I really would like to thank all those who helped in this endeavor, our friends of eSPLOST, ” Bell said. “They got out and worked tirelessly to push this forward. Also, and more importantly to our voters, those who continue to support Hart County schools and continue to support our mission to increase academics for our students.”

And voters countywide also approved an amendment to the town’s current SPLOST. Voters there said Yes to the amendment by an overwhelming vote of 4,182 to 2.447.

The amendment will allow Bowersville to provide funding to improve the town’s water system.