By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JUNE 14, 2024 | If you have not voted early, please get to the polls Tuesday and help your neighbors pick some of our leaders in the coming primary and nonpartisan runoff.
There are six races to be determined on Tuesday.
The one countywide race is a non-partisan race for Superior Court judge: Recorder’s Court Judge Regina Matthews faces Tuwanda Rush Williams for this position. GwinnettForum endorsed Regina Matthews.
The two other non-partisan races are for seats on the School Board.
For District One on the Gwinnett School Board, Rachel Stone faces Karen Mulzac Watkins. While Ms. Stone chose not to visit with GwinnettForum, we cannot in good conscience support incumbent Ms. Watkins. No endorsement.
For District Three on the School Gwinnett School Board, Steve Gasper versus. Shana V. White, GwinnettForum feels Mr. Gaspar is the best choice for this position.
For Republicans, there is only runoff between Fred Clayton and Gregory Howard in a race for the State Senate in District 7. Mr. Clayton did not visit with GwinnettForum, so we know nothing about him. GwinnettForum supports Mr. Howard in this race.
Democrats have two House races to decide in Tuesday’s voting.
In Senate District 55, partially in DeKalb County, Randal Mangham and Iris Knight-Hamilton face each other. Neither chose to meet with GwinnettForum. We make no endorsement in this race.
For House District 96, runoff candidates are Arlene Beckles and Sonia Lopez. There is no Republican opponent in the General Election, so whoever gets the most votes is automatically going to the legislature. GwinnettForum endorses Ms. Beckles, a former Norcross city council member.
Postal flyers in your mailbox about the election have been standard in recent weeks, advocating support of one political candidate or another.
However, a flyer we got this week raised a question: we could not find who this two-sided, 8.5-by-11 colorful advertisement was supporting. Finally, we read the small print: it came from the Asian American Advocacy Fund. Indeed, it was not supporting a particular candidate. Instead, it was seeking to get people to vote in Tuesday’s runoff election.
One side read: “The School Board Election isn’t over! It’s our duty to vote to protect the future of our families and loved ones. Vote in the Runoff on June 18.”
The reverse side headlined ‘The issues you care about are on the line,” and gave more detail why it is important to vote. It even had a code to scan to find your particular voting location and absentee ballot drop off location.
Let’s hear a “Well Done!” for the Asian American Advocacy Fund. Since fewer people vote in runoffs, they are doing the community a service when promoting more people to vote.
Perhaps it’s my military experience, but watching others reciting the Pledge to Allegiance often bothers me. In the service, we were told to stand up straight with your heels together while saluting (or placing your hand over your heart), looking at the flag when reciting the pledge.
That is not how many people stand for the pledge. It is a most haphazard approach, perhaps one hand in a pocket, slouching to one side of the other, feet wide apart, often with their hand not on their heart, not looking at the flag, and approaching the effort in a most casual way. That’s no way to salute your country!
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