Local & State Headlines

Qualifying for Worth, Lee elections opens

• Partisan elections in Lee and Worth counties attract 16 candidates on the first day of qualifying.

Susan McCord

SYLVESTER — Sylvester’s Courthouse Alley offers a bird’s eye view of qualifying for 13 partisan offices up for re-election this year in Worth County.

On one side of the alley, a former Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent qualified Monday to run against his boss, Sheriff Freddie Tompkins.

Mike Hill, who currently works for the sheriff’s drug squad, qualified as a Democrat Monday in the courthouse office of Tax Commissioner Tabetha DuPriest.

DuPriest, serving as the county Democratic party’s qualifying agent, faces an election of her own this year.

“Am I doing my job right? Yes,” said DuPriest, who qualified Monday to run for a third term. “I love working with people, and that’s the biggest thing.

During her second term, the office established a Web site where property owners can pay their tax bills by credit or debit card.

Also qualifying as a Democrat Monday were District 1 County Commissioner Tony Hall, who seeks a second term.

“I have the knowledge and compassion to do the job,” said Hall, vice president of Food Bank of Southwest Georgia. “Look at my resume.”

Road resurfacing and paving — Carter Road in his first year in office, Mossy Oaks Drive and Peafowl Road in his second — are highlights from his first term, Hall said.

Incumbents Hall and Commission Chairman Dan Miller each face likely challenges this year, both said, though none filed qualifying papers Monday.

Miller cited his leadership, communication skills and his completion of advanced county commissioner training in his decision to run for a fourth term.

Miller’s son, Luke Miller, also qualified Monday as a Democrat to run for the position of chief magistrate left open with the February death of longtime Magistrate Jean Powers.

Two-term Clerk of Court Joann Powell qualified to run for a third Monday as a Democrat.

Across the courthouse alley, Sylvester attorney Barbara Willis’ office was the scene of Republican qualifying for several countywide offices.

Qualifying there Monday were Probate Judge Sheryl Hall, Worth Board of Education incumbents Carol B. Edwards of District 2 and Mike Roberts of District 3, and Coroner Johnny Johnson, Willis said.

If he chooses to run again, longtime State Court Solicitor General Clark Landrum faces opposition this year, from Tifton attorney Bryce Johnson, who qualified Monday in Willis’ office.

A native of Worth, Johnson is the husband of Tifton Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney for Worth, Erica Johnson.

The solicitor general prosecutes cases in Worth County State Court.

State Court Judge Clarence Miller, who also serves as attorney for the Worth County Board of Education and Board of Commissioners, is up for re-election this year.

Willis qualified Monday to run for chief magistrate.

Though Worth’s magistrate is not required to have a law degree, Willis said she’d bring her knowledge of the law and 16 years of experience as a lawyer to the post.

She’d like to restore the bond hearings required within 48 hours for county inmates arrested on magistrate warrants, Willis said.

LEE COUNTY

Five candidates qualified to run for Lee County office Monday with county Republican chairman Tom Heldenberg.

The county hasn’t had any Democratic candidates in the last few election cycles, Elections Supervisor Veronica Johnson said.

But Democratic personnel are on hand this week at Lee’s governmental building if a Democratic candidate decides to run for one of the dozen or so partisan offices coming available this year, she said.

Qualifying as Republicans at Heldenberg’s U.S. 19 auto shop Monday were Betty Johnson for the Lee County Board of Commissioners’ Leesburg District post; Bill Williams for the commission’s Redbone District, and Joe Adair for the Century District, Heldenberg said.

Johnson resigned her position as tax commissioner to run for the County Commission seat now held by Jo Ealum, Lee’s youngest-ever commissioner. Ealum has said she will enter the U.S. Marine Corps and not pursue a second term.

Three women — Norma Smith, Tricia Quinn and Susan Smith — each filed declarations of intent to accept campaign contributions earlier this year for the tax commissioner’s post.

Norma Smith was the only candidate to qualify Monday for the post, Heldenberg said.

Also pursuing a term on the Lee County Board of Commissioners is certified public accountant Bill Williams, who qualified Monday to run for the Redbone District post, Heldenberg said.

Lee’s eastern Redbone District is currently represented by Commissioner Wally Roberts.

Joe Adair pursues the south-central Century District post currently held by Morris Leverette.

Former Lee Deputy Reggie Rachals also qualified Monday to run for the position of Lee County sheriff.

Both Leverette and Sheriff Harold Breeden have previously stated their intent to run again, but did not file qualifying papers Monday.

Other Lee offices for which qualifying is being held this week include clerk of superior court and coroner.

City of Leesburg residents will have another choice to make during the July primary.

Qualifying is this week for the position of mayor, to fill the post left vacant in December with the death of longtime Leesburg Mayor Bob Boney.

Only one man, acting Mayor Sidney Johnson, qualified Monday for the post, Leesburg City Clerk Casey Moore said.

Qualifying in both counties ends at 12 p.m. Friday.

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