Race for U.S. Congress highlights Tuesday’s runoff election
News August 9, 2020
Andrew Clyde
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – When the polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday (Aug. 11) for the General Primary Runoff election, White County voters will vote for a U.S. Congressman from Georgia’s 9th District, state representatives from the 9th district and 10th districts and a probate court judge.
The high profile race for U.S. Congress has drawn most of the media attention and it has turned ugly in recent days. In social media and campaign flyers, State Rep. Matt Gurtler has accused his opponent, Andrew Clyde a 28-year Navy combat veteran, of being a thief, a Never Trumper, and someone who donated money to Democrats.
That kind of heated rhetoric, especially late in a campaign, tends to turn voters off. Republican Congressman Jody Hice, a member of the Freedom Caucus — the most conservative group in Washington — called Gurtler’s allegations “outright lies.” Former U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, who said he is friends with both men endorsed Clyde. “What pushed me over the top were the lies and negative campaign of (Clyde’s) opponent,” Broun said.
Opensecrets.org reports that during the last reporting period which ended June 22, Clyde had raised $775,739 in campaign funds, spent $733,041 and has a balance on hand of $42,698. Gurtler raised $655,017 and spent $571,171. His cash on hand is $83,845.
Matt Gurtler
Although White County is a Republican stronghold, Democrats will pin their hopes on either Devin Pandy or Brooke Siskin. Pandy is a 21-year Army combat veteran. Siskin will have to overcome the negative publicity that followed her arrest on contempt of court charges for which she spent four days in jail last month. The Republican and Democrat nominees will square off on Nov. 3.
The Republican runoff for State House District 9 between Will Wade, a banker and longtime member of the Dawson County Board of Education, and Steven Leibel, the personal attorney for Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard, was conducted in a more respectful manner.
The rhetoric did become a little heated when Leibel accused Wade of raising taxes, accepting PAC funds and not supporting the senior tax exemption. Wade called that a “inaccuracy” and added, “I am not for changing the senior exemption in this district period.”
There is no Democrat entered in that race.
In the Republican runoff for State House District 10, Victor Anderson will face Robert Crumley and in the race for Judge of Probate Court, Carol Jackson will face Don Ferguson.
The 10th State House district includes a portion of White County. Blue Creek, Mossy Creek, Mount Yonah, Nacoochee, Shoal Creek 205, 201 and White Creek precincts.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Rick Kelley is the new sheriff in town, Ferguson, Jackson headed for runoff
News June 10, 2020
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – After 28 years, White County is going to have a new sheriff and his name is Rick Kelley. He defeated four opponents to win the Republican Party nomination. Kelley captured 51.6 percent of the vote, eliminating the need for a runoff. He received 3,792 votes to Aaron Autry’s 2,170, who finished second.
There will be several other runoff elections on Aug. 11 where White County voters can cast a ballot. Deciding a Probate Judge to replace Garrison Baker will require a runoff between Don Ferguson who captured 3,242 votes (44.4 percent) and Carol Jackson who won 2,812 votes (38.51 percent).
State House District 10 candidates Robert Crumley and Jimmy Dean are also headed for a runoff. Crumley received 2,174 votes Tuesday (44.94 percent) to Dean’s 1,433 votes (29.62). The winner will then face Democrat Nick Mitchell in the November General Election.
With about 97 percent of the votes counted in the U.S. House District 9 race, it appears Matt Gurtler of Tiger and Andrew Clyde survived the nine-candidate race that covers 20 counties. Gurtler won about 22.4 percent of votes cast while Clyde received 18.6 percent. The winner of that runoff will face the Democrat winner between Devin Pandy and Brooke Siskin.
In another contested race, Board of Commissioners District 1 Commissioner Terry Goodger won reelection, defeating Jerry Nicholson 1,276 to 383. Commission Chairman Travis Turner and District 4 Commissioner Craig Bryant ran unopposed.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
White County Probate Court candidates debate on FYNTV
News May 12, 2020
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – Four strong candidates for White County Probate Judge brought their campaigns to a 90-minute candidate debate presented by Fetch Your News and the Republican Party of White County Monday.
Moderator Brian Pritchard of Fetch Your News questioned candidates on topics ranging from how they would deal with the 14 percent budget cut demanded by the governor to how they would deal with the backlog of court cases created by the coronavirus pandemic.
Two candidates – Don Ferguson, an attorney, and Carol Jackson, an Associate Vice President of North Georgia Technical College, – said being elected probate judge would require a significant pay cut, something both said they would willingly accept to serve the citizens of White County.
Ferguson said he would close his private law practice if he is elected. “It would be a conflict of interest. I also think probate court is a full time office that requires everyone’s complete and sole attention.”
None of the candidates saw the need for a tax increase to meet their departmental budgets. Randall Townley noted that since the responsibility of holding elections has shifted from the office of probate judge to the elections superintendent, the operational cost of running the office has already been reduced significantly.
Ferguson gave several specific examples of places he could cut the budget.
“There are some areas where we can trim,” he said. “There are some subscription items we can save on. There are some high-priced technology items we can save on, I think there are some insurance items we have an opportunity to save on. I’m not going to raise anyone’s taxes. I’ll do whatever it takes to meet the county’s budget goals.”
Each candidate was asked how long they would like to serve in office if elected. Cam Greene, the youngest of the candidates, said, “As long as I get in there young, hopefully I can use this as a long-term career and do exactly as Judge (Garrison) Baker has done and serve for over 30 years. Judge Baker has done a great job and I want to follow in his footsteps.”
Ferguson said two to three terms would be enough. Jackson said she would commit to serving no more than two terms. The rest said they would like to serve no more than three terms.
Jackson faced the stark reality that changes in personnel may have to take place but she said she wanted to see the approved 2021 budget before making any decisions. “If we have to cut a position, I can take up the slack and I will do that.”
Due to COVID-19, probate court has been shut down. Pritchard asked the candidates how aggressive they would be in clearing up the backlog of cases.
Ferguson said, “Court hasn’t been held in a couple of months and it may not be held for a couple more. So there is going to be a lot of tickets to resolve. We’ve just got to start court early in the morning and go through all day for as many days as it takes for those tickets to be resolved. I think the total backlog of cases can be resolved in five to 10 working days in court.”
“Jackson said, “I will be as aggressive as I need to be to move this cases through in a way that is satisfactory to the judicial system as well as the people being served.”
Advance voting begins next week in the General Primary Election and Presidential Preference Primary.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Carol Jackson to seek Probate Judgeship
News February 28, 2020
WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — White County native Carol Jackson announces her intention to run for Probate Judge in this spring’s Republican primary.
Jackson brings a wealth of public service experience to the campaign. She served as
Clerk of Courts for fourteen years, State Senator for six years and County Manager for three
years.As Clerk of Court, she served the Probate Court in its administrative duties.
A member of Mount Yonah Baptist, she is former chair of the White County Chamber, serves on the disciplinary panel of the State Bar of Georgia, was legislative liaison for the GA Department of Juvenile Justice, a board member of the Sautee-Nacoochee Community
Association and is an associate vice president of North Georgia Technical College for regional economic development.
“I commend Judge Garrison Baker for his tremendous work and salute his career. I pledge to continue his good work.” Jackson said. “My goal is to conduct the duties of the Probate Judge with dignity, compassion and fairness.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com