Candidate profiles for the county commission candidates running in the May 19 primary are now available on The Blackshear Times’ Facebook page.
Good Morning Blackshear host Allie Peagler conducted interviews with all candidates for the county commission races except District 2 candidate Dick Larson, who provided a statement. Larson has been suffering from a throat infection and was unable to participate.
Incumbent County Chairman Neal Bennett will face challenger Austin Boatright.
In district two, retail manager Jason Christmas, former Blackshear Mayor Dick Larson and contractor Jerry Ed Rich Jr. will be on the Republican ballot.
If no candidate receives 50 percent plus one, a runoff election will be held Tuesday, June 16.
The winner of the Republican race will succeed current second district commissioner Graham Raley. Raley announced earlier this year he is moving out of district two next year and would not run for re-election.
Voters in district four will choose between incumbent David Lowman and challenger Austin Moore.
Voters will also make their choices for Republican and Democratic nominees on a number of federal, statewide and district offices.
Early voting for the May 19 primary election is already underway.
Early voting will be held from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 15. There will be two days of Saturday voting including from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 2 and 9. All early voting will take place at the Courthouse Annex, 312 Nichols St, Blackshear.
There will be no early voting Monday, May 18.
The final day to apply for an absentee by mail ballot is this Friday, May 8. Voters can apply at the Board of Elections office or apply online at https://securemyabsenteeballot. sos. ga.gov/s. To receive an absentee by mail ballot voters must apply every year.
Election Day will be May 19. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Pierce County Gym on College Avenue in Blackshear and Eagle Station on Williams Street in Patterson. Voters can check their polling place at mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Voters are also reminded to bring a physical photo identification. Cell phone photos taken of the identification will not be acceptable.
For more information, please call the board of elections office at (912) 449-2028.
