Albany Herald

Victoria Darrisaw

ALBANY -- Victoria Darrisaw, a magistrate for Dougherty County, will launch a campaign to become State Court judge Monday, according to her Facebook page.

Albany attorney Chris Warren has announced that he will seek the position.

Darrisaw is seeking to replace outgoing State Court Judge John Salter, who is believed to be retiring.

Darrisaw will officially kick off her campaign Monday at a campaign event set for 5 p.m. at Thronateeska Heritage Center.

The State Court Race is the second office up for grabs this November that has garnered competition so far.

Incumbent Coroner Emma Quimbley is facing a challenge from Michael Fowler for her office.

Rumors of challengers to other offices have been circulating, but no one else has formally stepped up to run yet, elections officials say.

Up for reelection this year are Dougherty County Commissioners Lamar Hudgins from District 1, Gloria Gaines for District 3 and Muarlean Edwards for District 5. On the school board, the board's at-large member Anita Williams-Brown is up, as are Chairman James Bush, District 5 board member Velvet Riggins and District 1 representative David Maschke.

In the judicial circuit, all three of Dougherty County Superior Court Judges -- Chief Judge Willie Lockette, Judge Stephen Goss and Judge Denise Marshall are up for re-election, as is Dougherty District Attorney Greg Edwards. Probate Judge Nancy Stephenson will also have to defend her seat.

Rounding out the list for local offices are Sheriff Kevin Sproul and Dougherty County Clerk of Court Evonne Mull.

The biggest change for Dougherty County voters could come on the state representative ballot. If current redrawn maps are approved, longtime State Reps. Gerald Green and Bob Hanner will have run against each other for the newly-redrawn district which includes West Dougherty County.

Also, State Sens. Freddie Powell-Sims and George Hooks may face each other.

Rep. Ed Rynders, who had represented a portion of eastern Dougherty County, has been drawn out of Dougherty County all together.

State Reps. Winfred Dukes and Carol Fullerton will have their districts relabeled and Dukes will pick up a large portion of Southwest Georgia all the way to the Florida, Alabama borders.