It was a big night for local elections in Stephens and Rabun counties as voters went to the polls to decide several key races.
Rabun County
Sheriff
Incumbent Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols must keep campaigning to keep his job. In the Republican primary on Tuesday, Nichols placed second in a three-person race for sheriff.
Former Rabun County deputy Mark Gerrells claimed 45% (1,948 votes) of the vote to Nichols’ 38% (1,639). Another former deputy, Marty Talley, came in a distant third with 17% (745) of the vote.
Since no one claimed over 50%, Gerrells and Nichols will face each other in a runoff on June 18.
No Democrats qualified to run for Sheriff. Barring opposition from an independent or write-in candidate, the winner of the runoff will take office in January.
Clerk of Superior Court
Incumbent Rabun County Clerk of Superior Court Holly Henry-Perry will keep her job. Henry-Perry won reelection to a sixth term with 78% (3,374) of the vote to challenger Lauren Messer’s 22% (931).
No Democrat qualified to run.
County Commission Races
Post 1 incumbent Will Nichols won reelection with 67% (2,858) of the vote against Republican challenger Roger Glenn’s 33% (1,408 votes). Nichols will face Democratic challenger Maria Loveless in the November 5 General Election.
Post 2 Rabun County Commission incumbent Tom Garrison also handily won reelection. Garrison got 64% (2,663) of the vote to Faron Welch’s 36% (1,514). Garrison will now face Independent challenger Ara Joyce in the November 5 General Election.
Stephens County
Sheriff
There will be a new sheriff in town in Stephens County come January. Rusty Fulbright won the GOP primary decisively with 64% (2,780) of the vote. He defeated former Stephens County Commissioner Dennis Bell who came in second in the three-person race with 32% (1,384 votes). Harold McCroskey was a distant third with 5% (205) of the vote.
There is no Democratic challenger in the November race. Barring any challenges by write-in or independent candidates, Fulbright will succeed outgoing, longtime Sheriff Randy Shriely, who chose not to seek reelection.
County Commission Post 3
Dennis Bell left the Stephens County Commission to run for sheriff. Three people ran in the County Commission Post 3 race to succeed him.
James Addison got 46% (1,924) of the vote. Craig Oglesby came in second with 30% (1,229) of the vote. Mark Marsteller was third at 24% (995). Addison and Oglesby will face off in a runoff on June 18.
The winner of that runoff will face Democratic challenger Justin Richie in the November 5 General Election.
