By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Over the weekend, we in Gwinnett learned that not only is it going to be a big year politically on the national scene, but that locally there will be several key political races that could dramatically determine the future of the county.
Each of three sitting county commissioners in Gwinnett have opposition, several judges now face the voters, and only nine of our 24 state senators and representatives got by without opposition. Two of the three U.S. Congress members who represent part of Gwinnett have opposition, and even U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson has both Republican and Democratic contenders—two Republicans and four Democrats.
Interestingly, the three members of the Gwinnett Board of Education up for election this year drew no opponents. That says something significant about the way the Gwinnett schools are guided! Congratulations, Carole Boyce, Mary Kay Murphy and Louise Radloff!
So, yes, it’s going to be a big year politically.
Several office holders with have opponents. They include:
The three Republicans on the County Commission have opponents. Chairman Charlotte Nash faces Democrat Jim Shealey in the General Election, as does Jace Brooks, against Democrat Derek Johnson, and Tommy Hughes, against Jasper Watkins III, a Democrat.
Sheriff Butch Conway, a Republican, drew a Republican opponent: Walter Keith Van Nus.
Neither Tax Commissioner Richard Steele nor clerk of court Richard T. Alexander Jr. found opposition.
In the non-partisan judicial elections, Superior Court Judge Ronnie Batchelor has an opponent, Gregory McKeithen. Five other Superior Court Judges have no opponents: Randy Rich, Kathy Schrader, Karen Beyers, Melodie Snell Conner and Warren Davis.
In State Court, Emily Brantley and John Doran have no opponents, though Incumbent Shawn Bratton will see opposition from Latawsha Little-Hill, and Judge Carla Brown faces Ronda Colvin-Leary.
Probate Judge Christopher Bailer has no opponent, nor does Chief Magistrate Kristina Blum.
The Gwinnett delegation to the statehouse who face no opposing candidates include Senators P.K. Martin, and David Shafer, and Reps. Dar-shun Kendrick, Karen Bennett, David Clark, Dewey McClain, Timothy Barr and Chuck Efstraton.
So watch out during the next few months: here come the candidates courting all of us to serve us. The date for the Georgia General Primary is May 24.
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By the end of today, on the national scene, we may have a reduced field of candidates on the Republican side, while we’ll know if Bernie Sanders still has life after the primaries in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina. Today’s primaries are crucial at least for Florida’s Marco Rubio and Ohio’s Gov. John Kasich.
We suspect the voters in Florida will tell Senator Rubio that it’s time for him to consider “suspending” his campaign for the presidency. Polls show him significantly trailing Donald Trump in that state. He also has won few states and much fewer delegates than the two top contenders. His own state could be the linchpin in his dropping the idea of the presidency for 2016. Look out for him in coming years!
Ohio, in particular, may make Hillary Clinton a little nervous as she seeks a knock-out punch to discourage Bernie Sanders. However, Mr. Sanders contends that he is in the event up until the end. He certainly continues to sound good in his appearances before the voters. His Michigan victory, coupled with a big win in any of these five states on Tuesday, could continue to inspire him and his supporters.
So, about the time the national scene starts to congeal, looks like local politics will take on new prominence.
GwinnettForum will continue its dialogue with local candidates on Gwinnett’s ballot to keep you up-to-date and informed on local issues, and later endorse the candidates we think best for the jobs.
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