Qualifying started on Monday and several people have already filed in Columbia County to run.
At the county level, only Republican and non-partisan candidates have filed so far to run. Michael Carraway has filed for District 3 Commissioner. Carraway is also running in the District 3 special election to fill the unexpired term for the seat. Both elections will be take place on May 21.
Terry Norman filed as a Republican to run for coroner.
MORE: Augusta qualifying draws newcomers, incumbents
Several incumbents have filed as Republicans, including Wayne Bridges for tax commissioner, Cindy Mason for clerk of superior court, Alice Padgett for probate pudge, Jason Troiano as Chief magistrate and Clay Whittle as sheriff.
Non-partisan candidates who have filed include David Dekle (incumbent) for the Board of Education chair, Phil Kent for the Board of Education District 1 seat and Lee Ann Meyer (incumbent) for the Board of Education District 4 seat.
The other local race that have did not have any candidates file on Monday was County Commission District 2
The state level races saw some familiar names. For the House of Representatives District 125 race, both Gary Richardson and C.J. Pearson filed as Republicans. Both men are currently in a runoff race to fill the unexpired term, with a winner being decided on March 12.
The House of Representatives District 131 race saw David Byrne, Paul Abbott and Russell Wilder all file as Republicans. No Democrats filed on Monday.
Incumbent Sheryl B. Jolly-Turner (non-partisan) filed to run for the Columbia County Judicial Circuit Judge seat.
Republican incumbent Mark Newton filed for the House of Representatives District 127 race. No Democrats filed on Monday.
For the State Senate District 24 race, incumbent Lee Anderson filed to run again as a Republican.
MORE: Allen draws Democratic opponent, Richardson and Pearson qualify to run in primary
Republican Rick Allen qualified to run for another term as U.S. Representative for the 12th Congressional District. He faces challenger Daniel Jackson, who qualified as a Democrat.
No candidates qualified for House of Rep. District 123 and State Senate District 23 races.
Qualifying will continue through noon on Friday. For more information, visit sos.ga.gov and columbiacountyga.gov.
Stephanie Hill is the managing editor and covers Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
