Banks voters go to polls July 15

Early voting continues this week through Friday in the Banks County Registrar’s Office, located on the second floor of the courthouse. Any registered voter may cast their ballot during the early voting period from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. although those doing so must chose either a Democrat or Republication ballot, the same for those voting next week just as is required for next Tuesday.

The Republican ballot is expected to be chosen more often in Banks County since more local races are involved. The battle for sheriff, county chairman and a school board seat will be decided in the Republican primary.

In addition, a contested primary for the District Attorney seat for the Piedmont Judicial Circuit will be decided in the Republican primary although with three candidates there is the possibility of a runoff. Rick Bridgeman, Donna Sikes and Brad Smith are seeking the DA’s seat. Bridgeman was appointed to the position by Sonny Perdue in late 2007.
Locally, commission chairman Gene Hart will seek a second term on the Republican ballot against primary challenger Milton Dalton.

Sheriff Charles Chapman, who switched to the Republican Party for this year’s election, faces challenger Carlton Speed in the primary. Chapman has been sheriff since 1996.

In the Post 4 Board of Education race, Republican incumbent John Williams faces challenger David Martin. This race has been extremely low key as neither candidate has addressed voters at any of the local forums.

Also on the Republican primary ballot, 10th District Congressman Paul Broun will look to hold off challenger Barry Fleming in a primary battle which has seen both candidates try to out-conservative one another. The winner faces Democrat Bobby Saxon, an Iraq War veteran, in November.

Banks voters will also help determine the 50th District state senate race as two-term incumbent Nancy Schaefer has two Republican challengers in Jim Butterworth and Terry Rogers, both of Habersham County. There is no Democrat in the race.

There are two state-wide Public Service Commission seats up for vote this year as incumbent H. Doug Everett faces Rick Collum in the Republican primary in one race with Lauren McDonald, Jr., a former Commerce residence and candidate for governor, facing Pam Davidson in another race where there is no incumbent.

For those who vote in the Democratic primary, the most appealing race is for U.S. Senate as five candidates look to challenge incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss this fall. Dale Cardwell, Vernon Jones, Rand Knight, Josh Lanier and Jim Martin are competing in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Washington.

Bob Indech and Jim Powell are running for the Democratic nomination for Public Service Commission where the winner will face the winner of the McDonald-Davidson battle.

In the county Board of Education Post 1, incumbent Republican Neal Brown will face Democrat John David Kennedy in November as both are unopposed in their respective primaries.