To be contested: 3rd District U.S. House, Fayette Commission, both school boards, 2 state Senate seats, 2 House posts
Fayette and Coweta counties saw a flurry of qualifiers for the May 22 primaries and the Nov. 6 general election. Qualifying ended March 9, with numerous contested races in both counties.
In Fayette, the District 3 seat on the County Commission will be a three-way race in the May 22 Republican Primary between training contractor and retired Col. Edward “Edge” Gibbons, former Mayor Don Haddix and former Councilman Eric Imker.
Above, Fayette County Commission District 3 candidates (L-R) Don Haddix, Eric Imker, and Edward Gibbons.
Current District 3 Commissioner Steve Brown is not running for re-election.
District 4 Commissioner Charles Rousseau was the lone qualifier for his seat. The Democrat has no opposition in either party.
The Fayette County Board of Education will have one contested race when retired Whitewater High School Principal Roy Rabold (R) of Fayetteville squares off for the District 2 seat against Republican Traci Fuller, a business owner from Fayetteville. The winner will face Democrat and MOM’s Club of Fayetteville past president Sara Van Etten in November..
Board member Diane Basham did not run for reelection.
School board member Leonard Presberg (D-District 4) had no challengers during the qualifying period. He is unopposed for the November general election.
There are two state Senate races coming in May and November.
The Senate District 16 race in May will feature incumbent Marty Harbin and challenger Tricia Stearns, a Peachtree City Realtor. The winner will face Fayetteville Democrat and writer Bill Lightle in November.
District 34 Sen. Valencia Seay will also have competition this year. Seay will face challenger Melody Totten, a Riverdale business manager, in the May primary. The winner will face Republican heavy equipment transporter Tommy Smith in November.
Two Georgia House races will make the ballot in May.
District 71 Rep. David Stover is facing Republican challenger Samuel Anders, a retired Newnan military man. The winner will face Democrat and flight simulator technician Tom Thomason in November.
In District 72, incumbent Josh Bonner (R) in May will face Republican challenger Mary Kay Bacallao, a college professor and former school board member.
In Congressional elections, incumbent District 3 Rep. Drew Ferguson (R) will face Republican challenger and pilot Philip Singleton on May 22. Two Democrats will also face-off on May 22. Those include pilot Chuck Enderlin and science teacher Rusty Oliver.
Coweta County will see contested races in two County Commission races and in four school board races.
District 2 Commissioner Tim Lassetter (R) will face Republican challenger and retiree Eddie L. Wilson, Jr. in the May primary.
District 3 Commissioner Bob Blackburn (R) will face Republican challenger and Newnan paramedic Phillip Kern-Sims in the November general election.
Each of the four school board races will see competition. All school board seats in Coweta are non-partisan.
In District 1, incumbent Amy Dees will face Senoia missions administrator Sandi Haner.
The District 1 At-Large race will feature incumbent Larry Robertson and retired Newnan resident Loreli Scott.
In District 3, incumbent Beth Barnett will square off against Newnan videographer and editor Jan Horne.
The District 4 race will feature incumbent Linda Menk and Newnan retiree Norman Lundin.
