Three local incumbents sailed to victory on Tuesday in the GOP Primary. Incumbent Habersham County Probate Judge Pam Wooley was re-elected in a three-person race against challengers Cindy Freeman and John Whitfield. Wooley managed to avoid a runoff claiming 52% of the vote.
“I am so blessed and thankful to be re-elected to continue to serve as Probate Judge,” Wooley tells Now Habersham. “I love the citizens of Habersham County and I love to serve them in this capacity. I am deeply grateful and appreciative of their support. I want to continue to give the citizens of Habersham County the best service possible and I look forward to the next four years.”
Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell won his re-election bid against challenger Sam Jones. Terrell defeated Jones with 65% of the vote. Terrell says he is “humbled and blessed by the continued support. A big thank you to everyone and I’m looking forward to another great four years!”
As he enters his third term in office, the Sheriff says he’ll continue to focus on training and youth education. “Over the next four years, we’re hoping to expand our CHAMPS program to a younger age group to get them engaged in making good choices. We want to continue to have the best trained deputies serving our community in the state.”
Stamey faces Democratic challenger in the fall
District 5 Commissioner Tim Stamey will face off in November against Democratic challenger Mike Adams. Stamey soundly defeated his GOP rival Locke Arnold in the Republican primary with 77% of the vote. Adams was the only commission candidate in the Democratic primary.
Tuesday marked Stamey’s third election in the past eight months. In December, he won a runoff election to fill the unexpired term of former Habersham County Commissioner Ed Nichols. Stamey says he’s “very humbled and happy” by this latest victory. “I plan on continuing to work hard and researching the best solutions to County problems,” Stamey tells Now Habersham. “I did not spend time campaigning in the primary as I feel the citizens are more likely to vote for an incumbent if they are spending their time doing the job they were elected to do.”
As he eyes his fourth election in twelve months looming in the fall, Stamey says he prays that he can “bring the County closer together and significantly reduce our debt, while increasing efficiency.”
Recount requested in District 4 commission race
Incumbent District 4 County Commissioner Natalie Crawford kept her hopes for another term alive. She appears headed for a runoff with former Demorest City Councilman Bruce Harkness. Crawford won the three-person race against Harkness and former Cornelia police officer Trent Davis. Crawford claimed 36.96% of the vote to Harkness’ 31.59% and Davis’ 31.51%. There was only an eight vote difference between Harkness and Davis.
Habersham County Election Supervisor Laurel Ellison says Davis has asked for a recount.
Still, for now, Harkness is gearing up for the runoff.
“First, let me say a big thank you to all those who supported me and voted for me. I said from the very beginning that this would be a very close race because the other two candidates are very fine people and have served this community well,” Harkness says. He points to the 64% of voters who voted against Crawford and says it “speaks loudly to me that people are ready for change.”
As he looks to expand his political base ahead of the runoff, Harkness continues to push for managed growth and vows “I will not ever vote to raise taxes on the property owners and farmers and they need some relief.”
Commissioner Crawford, who is seeking a third term, says she’s thankful to everyone who exercised their right to vote. “I’m grateful to my supporters for their encouragement and for turning out the vote. I applaud Trent and Bruce for running clean campaigns and for being willing to serve our community.” She adds, “I’m humbled and I look forward to August 11th and earning the support of my community.”
Heading into the runoff, Crawford touts her fiscal conservatism. “I’ve worked hard to make decisions that are the most fiscally sound for our county,” she says. “For the next four years, I will maintain my focus on preserving the quality of life we enjoy here in Habersham, working hard to balance our tax digest, and ensuring the safety of our citizens. I will continue to serve my community with integrity and common sense.”
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Also see below
Board of Education District 1 – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
Doug Westmoreland (Incumbent) 100% (8,826)
Board of Education District 2 – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
Robert Barron (Incumbent) 100% (8,760)
Chief Magistrate – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
Gerald Johnson (Incumbent) 100% (9,065)
Clerk of Superior Court – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
David Wall (Incumbent) 100% (9,145)
Coroner – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
Kasey McEntire (Incumbent) 100% (9,334)
County Commissioner District 1 – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
Jeffrey Todd Lunsford 44.61% (3,902)
Christopher Bruce Palmer 46.04% (4,027)
Benny Pate 9.34% (817)
County Commissioner District 4 – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
Natalie Crawford (Incumbent) 36.9% (3,601)
Trent Davis 31.51% (3,075)
Bruce Harkness 31.59% (3,083)
County Commissioner District 5 – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
DEMOCRAT
Michael “Mike” Adams 100% (1,210)
REPUBLICAN
Locke Arnold 22.89% (2,186)
Tim Stamey (Incumbent) 77.11% (7,364)
Probate Judge – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
Cindy Franklin Freeman (R) 26.65% (2,631)
John W. Whitfield (R) 21.19% (2,092)
Pam Wooley (R-Incumbent) 52.15% (5,148)
Sheriff – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
Sam Jones (R) 34.96% (3,530)
Joey Terrell (R-Incumbent) 65.04% (6,567)
Solicitor General – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
Bill Oliver (R-Incumbent) 100% (8,793)
State Court Judge – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
NON-PARTISAN
Steve Campbell (Incumbent) 100% (10,118)
Superior Court Judge – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
Non-Partisan – HABERSHAM ONLY (does not include Rabun and Stephens vote totals)
Chan Caudell (Incumbent) 100% (10,131)
Tax Commissioner – 7 out of 7 precincts reporting
REPUBLICAN
June Black (Incumbent) 100% (9,179)
This article has been update to reflect that commission candidate Trent Davis has requested a recount
