By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
APRIL 23, 2024 | On May 21, Gwinnett voters will go to the polls to select nominees for local and legislative races. It is officially election day for non-partisan candidates in judicial races and for Gwinnett school board seats.
In Gwinnett County in 2024, there are 57 offices that will be decided in the election. However, on May 21, for the primary, only 23 races have opposed candidates. Though the ballot looks long when you first see it, remember Gwinnett is represented in the Legislature in 30 districts, in whole or in part, but each voter only has to choose his own representative or senator. And in the three school board races, each voter will have only one seat to decide.
You can view what the actual ballot looks like by clicking to the Sample Ballots:
Now on to the races to be decided on May 21. Candidates with no opposition are not listed.
For County Commission Chairman
Nwaigwe
Hendrickson
Democrats: The current commission is led by Chairman Nicole Love Hendrickson, 44, of Lilburn, who we feel has done a credible job. The county seems to run efficiently, and on a relatively low profile. Her efforts in guiding the county with dispatch makes her a natural nominee for this leadership role.
Republicans: A newcomer to politics, Justice Nwaigwe, 39, is a banking consultant and former helicopter flight engineer who lives in Hamilton Mill. He wants a more transparent government, and seeks grass roots support for his candidacy. He makes a good impression, and is a credible nominee.
Watkins
For County Commission, Post 3
Democrats: Current Commissioner Jasper Watkins, 65, of Grayson, is eminently qualified to continue to serve in this post. A retired Army Medical Corps lieutenant colonel, he looks to build on his first term and continue to move Gwinnett forward. He has the endorsement from all the mayors in the cities he serves, and will make a solid nominee for this position.
For Sheriff
Reinhold
Taylor
Democrats: Five people have qualified to run as Democrats. We feel that the administration of current Sheriff Keybo Taylor, 63, of Hoschton, has been a good one, and endorse his renomination for the position. It’s been gratifying to see him expand the mental health task force to keep more people out of jail. He also seeks to work with the county commission for higher pay for officers to help fill vacant positions.
Republicans: Three people seek this nomination, with our choice being that of Baron Reinhold, 57, of Suwanee for this office. He is a graduate of the Naval Academy, and retired as a captain after a 35 year career in the Navy. He feels matters have not gone in the right direction in this office, and seeks to apply his management skills to address them in a methodical manner.
Mitchell
For Tax Commissioner
Democrats: After becoming tax commissioner after the death of the former occupant of the office, Denise Mitchell, 59, of Snellville, has served with efficiency and distinction. She previously was the chief deputy and has worked in this department for over 25 years. She handles her office with integrity and transparency and makes an excellent nominee for this position.
For District Attorney
Alabi
Democrats: Three people seek this prosecutor role for Superior Court. There is no doubt that the best candidate for this position is Andrea Alabi, 41, of Snellville, who has had wide experience as a prosecuting attorney. This office has been underserved by the current district attorney, who has a low rate of winning cases, and letting those charged walk away free. This is one of the most important Gwinnett contests in 2024, and we wholeheartedly endorse Andrea Alabi for this position. With no Republican candidates, winning the primary is tantamount to being elected.
Georgia Senate races
Richardson-Ogluin
Senate District 7
Republicans: Four candidates are challenging Democrat Nabilah Islam Parkes for this position. Our choice for this nomination is Clara Richardson-Ogluin, 50, of Norcross, who is an attorney and co-owner of a flooring company. She got her law degree in the Dominican Republic and studied music management at Georgia State. She and her husband have four children. She is interested in legislation for education, small business, cyber security and improving the workforce.
Harrell
Senate District 40
Democrats: Veteran legislator Sally Harrell, 58, who lives in Chamblee, is our choice as this nominee. A graduate of Georgia State with two degrees, she had spent three terms in the Senate, and before that, three terms in the House. She seeks more money for education to eliminate mobile homes as classrooms and have more permanent school buildings, and has a plan for ensuring school building safety. We happily endorse her candidacy.
Jackson
Senate District 41
Democrats: Another current Senator who is our choice for nomination is Kim Jackson, 39, of Stone Mountain, an Episcopal priest. She has been a staunch defender of voting rights for all people, and has authored legislation concerning stalking victims, domestic violence and human trafficking. She is also a steward of a small urban farm.
Senate District 55
Turner
Democrats: Seeking to fill a large hole in the delegation with the retirement of Sen. Gloria Butler, there are five Democratic candidates. Our choice for this slot is Verdaillia Turner, 67, a veteran activist of Stone Mountain. Educated at Spelman College, she is a retired high school social science teacher, and president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers. She will honor Senator Butler’s legacy as the nominee for this seat.
Georgia House races
House District 30
Republicans: Two persons seek this position, and neither spoke with GwinnettForum. We make no endorsement.
Hilton
House District 48
Republicans: Two people seek this position, and our choice is for Scott Hilton, 44, of Peachtree Corners, to be the nominee for this seat. He has served his party with distinction in the legislature. He is a former banker and graduate of Georgetown University, and has served as a deputy whip in the Legislature.
House District 96
Beckles
Democrats: Three candidates vie for this office. Our choice is Arlene Beckles, 60, of Norcross, a former city council member. She is a native of Barbados who emigrated to this country in 1985. She is a cyber security specialist for a hospital chain. Her interests focus around health care, housing and transit. We endorse her candidacy.
House District 98
Lim
Democrats: Now seeking his third term as a legislator, Marvin Lim, 40, of Norcross, a securities attorney, is our choice for this position. He is a Filipino-American who works to secure resources for his district. He is a graduate of Emory University and Yale Law School and a former Fulbright scholar.
House District 100
Republicans: Neither of the two candidates has met with GwinnettForum. No endorsement.
For U.S. Congress
Gwinnett County in 2025 will be divided into four Congressional legislative districts. There are 16 candidates seeking these four seats. Districts 4 and 9 have one candidate from each party, thereby gaining automatic nomination.
Congressional District 10
Democrats: No endorsement.
Scott
Congressional District 13
Democrats: Seven persons seek this office, currently held by David Scott, 78, of Atlanta, who has represented part of Gwinnett before, and who has served in Congress since 2003. He is a graduate of Florida A&M and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is our choice as the best nominee for this office.
Judicial Nonpartisan Races
Gallant
Superior Court (Bachelor seat)
Two candidates are running for this position. Our choice for election is Kimberly Gallant, 49, of Sugar Hill, who has been a magistrate judge in Gwinnett since 2015. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and obtained her law education at Georgia State. As a magistrate, she often sits as a judge trying cases in Superior Court, and now seeks elevation to that level. We endorse her candidacy.
Superior Court (Beyers seat)
Bratton
Matthews
Three people seek this judgeship. We endorse the candidacy of Regina Matthews, 45, of Lilburn. A graduate of the University of South Carolina in political science, she attended Emory University for her law degree. Born in Nashville, she was raised in Chicago. She and her husband have two sons. She is currently a magistrate judge for Gwinnett County.
State Court (Bratton seat)
Two persons seek this office. We believe that incumbent Shawn Bratton, 52, who lives in Suwanee and who has been a state court judge since 2014, is the best candidate. He is the only military veteran among Gwinnett judges. We endorse his candidacy.
Gwinnett School Board Nonpartisan Races
King
Cortes
Ranel
School Board, District 1: Three people are running for this position. We support the election of newcomer, Leroy Ranel, 47, of Dacula to become a member of this board. His children are in the Dacula schools. He is a cybersecurity manager and former policeman. He feels the School Board has been making news for the wrong reasons. He wants to turn around the attrition rate and resolve the early exodus of teachers and make informed decisions to help the system. We endorse his election.
School Board, District 3: Five candidates seek this position, to replace veteran board member Mary Kay Murphy. We endorse the candidacy of Yanin Cortes, 50, of Peachtree Corners. She works in operations in her family’s four restaurants, and has two adult children, plus an eight year old. She is a native of Cuba, who is a graduate of Georgia State in literature and Spanish. She wants to make sure the schools have the resources they need, have stronger teacher retention, while working together with the board for a consensus in finding common ground.
School Board District 5: Three people seek this office. Our choice for this position is Patrina King, 43, of Peachtree Corners, an entrepreneur who teaches women how to play golf. She got her education in technical management from DeVry University, with a master’s in human resources. She is a native of Milledgeville, who has lived here for seven years. She has seen changes in the School Board, and wants the board to go back to being a leader in education.
- Coming Friday: GwinnettForum will print the answers to four questions it submitted to non-partisan candidates for three judge and three school board positions. Each of the questions was asked to be answered in no more than 100 words, giving readers more information about these candidates
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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