Incumbents are looking to keep their offices after the opening day of qualifying for the May primary for the general election coming up in November for several offices.
State Representative Trey Kelley, State Senator Jason Anavitarte, and several of the constitutional offices of the county already have filled out their paperwork and paid their fees to be on the ballot in May for what will potentially be the local elections for this cycle.
Sheriff Johnny Moats, Probate Judge Bobby Brooks, Superior Court Judge Mark Murphy, Superior Court Clerk Stacie Baines, Coroner Norman Smith, Tax Commissioner Amanda Lindsey, and all three of the current County Commissioners all signed up to be on the ballot as well. That includes newly-appointed Commissioner Jordan Hubbard, who will be running as a Republican for the May primary ballot.
Ray Carter in District 3 and Chuck Thaxton in District 2 join him on the ballot for May as well.
Hubbard already has a challenger in James Vines, who is seeking the District 1 seat for a third time as a Republican primary candidate.
Two new candidates are in the mix as of the close of business on Monday as well.
Christy Garner, who serves as a magistrate judge, is running to become the Chief Magistrate Judge for Polk County. Current Chief Magistrate Judge Jean Crane will not seek reelection to the post after her term expires at year’s end.
Another newcomer to local elections is Greg Teems, former interim Superintendent and longtime administrator with the Polk School District. Teems is set to run for the District 5 School Board seat held by Kristy Gober. She had not yet qualified as of the close of business on Monday with the Board of Elections.
The District 3 and District 6 seats have not yet had any candidates step up to qualify.
Qualifying ends on Friday, and those who are interested can visit the Board of Elections site for more information.
