Stone appears to have retained seat

ALBANY, Ga. — It appears that Dougherty County’s longest current serving commissioner will get four more years after solidifying a close election-day victory Tuesday.

An unofficial tally, including all but absentee and early voting totals, gave Jack Stone the win by 62 votes.

With more than 1,500 votes cast countywide during early voting, it is possible that a strong voter turnout for Thomas could swing the election the other way.

Never shy to comment, Stone thanked the voters for supporting him for another term, saying that while the sun may be setting on his political career in the near future, he plans to leave the district in good hands.

“Well, I’m glad to see that District 6 is still Jack Stone country,” Stone said from his home Tuesday night. “I’ve been here a long time and it may be time for me to step down here soon, but I’m going to leave the people here with a good representative and this was not the person.”

While Thomas couldn’t be reached for comment as vote totals were coming into election central Tuesday evening, in an e-mail to media and supporters earlier in the day Thomas said that he was humbled by the outpouring of support from the people and that, win or lose, he considers the race a win for the people of Dougherty County.

“It is a win/win situation for us no matter how the votes turn out, as we have been successful in raising the profile of government waste, neglect, mismanagement, and, of course, our new candidates, some of which came from our own DCTPA (Dougherty County Taxpayer Association) ranks, will send a strong message to incumbents and newly seated commissioners that productive taxpaying citizens will not stand still and accept Dougherty county government as it is,” Thomas wrote.

Official totals will be posted on albanyherald.com and in Thursday’s edition of the Albany Herald.