According to

Lunsford, the posts for those running in the new 85th District will be

assigned on an alternating basis by the registrar and candidates will

not be able to choose which post they would like to run for. To ensure

that he and Yates will not face each other, they intend to register together.

The representatives

discussed the ongoing fight to toss out the new district maps, noting

that "taxpayers are paying for Gov. Barnes to fight for the maps,

Republicans are paying out of their own pocket to fight against the maps."

They vowed the fight would go "all the way to the Supreme Court."

Lunsford stated, "The governor knows the districts are unconstitutional."

Lee Wright

of Tyrone announced he would be running for Board of Education post being

vacated by Mickey Littlefield. Wright has two children Tyler, 12, and

Blake, 10 currently attending school in Fayette County. His wife, Delores,

is a fourth-grade teacher at Tyrone Elementary.

Wright served

two years on the Tyrone Planning Commission. Regarding his tenure on the

commission he said, "It was my first venture into public service.

It wasn't always easy, but it was very rewarding."

He is running

for office "to ensure the momentum continues in maintaining the excellence

and consistency in the education of Fayette County students." Noting

that he and his family moved to the county for "the school system,

the family atmosphere and the strong community," he said the school

system is "one of the top strengths of Fayette County."

He voiced concern

regarding the impact growth has on the schools, saying, "It is a

challenge to balance and prepare the school system for growth." He

stressed the need to work closely with the county and cities and to "stay

abreast of what's happening in the community."

Wright holds

a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Georgia and an MBA

from Georgia State. He is a general manager and controller for Delta Global

Systems. He worked in banking prior to moving to Delta 11 years ago. The

Wright family has lived in Tyrone for 5 years.

Caroline Smith

also announced she would be running for County Commission Post 4, currently

held by Vice Chairman Linda Wells. Smith recently retired from the Brooks

City Council. She stated she had intended to announce at Brooks Day, but

she chose to announce early due to the number of attendees at the First

Saturday Breakfast.

Emory Wilkerson,

who will be running in District 34, said he would officially announce

his intentions May 21 at the Hollingsworth House in Fayetteville. The

announcement party, which is open to the public, will begin at 5 p.m.

and end at 7 p.m.

Other upcoming

Republican Party events include a "meet and greet" with Sonny

Perdue at the new Fayette County headquarters, 125 Commerce Drive, Suite

I in Fayetteville (behind Hooters). Perdue will be at the headquarters

beginning at 10:30 May 11. The three Republican candidates for governor,

Byrne, Perdue and Schrenko, will take part in a debate at the Gathering

Place in Peachtree City May 18. The debate is sponsored by the Coweta

and Fayette County Republican Parties and will begin at 8:30 a.m.

On the evening

of May 18 the Fayette County Republican Party will host a roast of Rep.

Lynn Westmoreland. For details regarding the roast, call Bill Bonner at

770-460-7093.

Byrne and Georgia

Republican Party Chairman Ralph Reed will be the guest speakers at the

1st Saturday Breakfast scheduled for June 1. A grand opening for the new

headquarters will be held immediately after the breakfast.

The Republican

First Saturday Breakfast is open to the public and is held the first Saturday

of every month at the International House of Pancakes in Fayetteville.

The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information contact Chasity Mundy

at 770-487-3919 or [email protected].