By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher
NOV. 2, 2018 | With so many candidates on the ballot this year, and the General Election upcoming on Tuesday, November 6, GwinnettForum again reprints its list of candidates it feels will be best to be elected in 2018.
And let us add: we pray that Tuesday’s voting will be the final voting of 2018, and that the electorate will not have to suffer any runoff elections. But it very well could be possible, with three candidates in some races.
Also: A major question on the Gwinnett ballot asks citizens if Gwinnett School Bonds should be issued up to $350 million for the expanding school system. Note that this is the very LAST question on the ballot. Be sure to cast your entire ballot, and specifically, go to the end of the ballot to vote on this measure.
We also reprint our suggestions on Constitutional amendments and referendums. The full endorsements appeared in the October 16 edition, which can be found on the Internet at https://www.gwinnettforum.com/2018/10/oct16-issue-2/. Those GwinnettForum endorses in the coming election are:
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES:
- Congress, 4th District: Republican Joe Profit.
- Congress, 7th District: Carolyn Bourdeaux.
- Congress, 10th District: Democrat Tabitha Johnson-Green.
Abrams, Kemp
STATEWIDE CANDIDATES:
- Governor: Democrat Stacey Abrams.
- Lieutenant Governor: Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico.
- Secretary of State: Republican Brad Raffensperger.
- Attorney General: Democrat Charlie Bailey.
- Agricultural Commissioner: Republican Gary Black.
- Insurance Commissioner: Republican Jim Beck.
- School Superintendent: Democrat Otha E. Thornton Jr.
- Labor Commissioner: Republican Mark Butler.
- Public Service Commissioner, Post 3: Democrat Lindy Miller.
- Public Service Commissioner, Post 4: Democrat Dawn Randolph.
STATE SENATE:
- District 9: Republican P.K. Martin.
- District 40: Republican Fran Millar.
- District 45: Republican Renee Unterman.
- District 48: Republican Matt Reeves..
- District 55: Democrat Gloria Butler.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
- District 81: Democrat Scott Holcomb.
- District 95: Republican Scott Hilton.
- District 97: Democrat Aisha Yaqoob.
- District 101: Democrat Sam Park.
- District 102: Republican Paula Hastings.
- District 104: Republican Chuck Estrafon.
- District 105: Democrat Donna McLeod.
- District 107: Democrat Shelly Hutchinson.
- District 108: Republican Clay Cox.
GWINNETT COUNTY OFFICIALS:
- County Commissioner, District 2: Democrat Ben Ku.
- County Commissioner, District 4: Republican John Heard.
- Solicitor General: Republican Rosanna Szabo.
GWINNETT SCHOOL BOARD:
- School District 2: Republican Steve Knudsen.
- School District 4: Democrat Everton (“EJ”) Blair.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS:
There are four Constitutional Amendments Georgians are asked to consider on the 2018 ballot. To us, as we explained earlier, none seem necessary. (Reasons given in the October 26 edition, see at https://www.gwinnettforum.com/2018/10/1026-issue/).
So, we simply suggest you vote AGAINST all four amendments, dealing with dedicated money for outdoor areas; creation of a Business Court; allowing a 20 percent tax break for timber owners; and making Marcy’s Law Constitutional, which is already in legislative law.
STATEWIDE REFERENDUMS:
There are two statewide referendums on the ballot this year. Why the Legislature puts most complicated questions on the ballot, then reduces the long-winded wording to a few words for citizens to consider, and then expects the electorate to make sense out of it, is beyond our understanding.
Therefore, out of frustration, we say vote “NO” on these two statewide referendums. The Legislature has the time that is needed to study this in detail and make these decisions.
SPECIAL LOCAL QUESTIONS:
Two items on the 2018 ballot especially apply to Gwinnett County. Its citizens are asked to decide these questions.
The first deals with Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages. Passage of this would bring our county more in line with adjoining counties. Vote “YES” on this.
Perhaps the most important question for Gwinnett County on the ballot is asking voters to approve School Bonds up to $350 million for construction of new schools, and the additions at many other public schools. Since Gwinnett has paid off previous bonds recently, this would not mean a tax increase. With the school system continually growing, new facilities are needed. Vote “YES” to improve our school system with these additional revenues for our children’s future.
PS: An election is complicated. You may print this out and take into the booth with you.
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- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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