One of five candidates for District 1 on the Augusta Commission, Kevin de l’Aigle, withdrew from the contest Tuesday, citing concerns about his mother Katie Delaigle’s health.
An only child, de l’Aigle has been his mother’s primary caregiver since he returned to the area, and she recently had some health issues that led to her being hospitalized.
“I just decided today I couldn’t. Obviously this is more important,” de l’Aigle said.
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His decision leaves the downtown-area District 1 race a four-way contest, with three challenging incumbent Jordan Johnson – former commissioner Matt Aitken, former candidate Jo’Rae Jenkins and newcomer Kenny Osorio.
Monday was the last day to register to vote in the May 21 general primary and nonpartisan elections, when most Augusta contests will be decided. Richmond County Board of Elections began mailing out absentee ballots Monday, according to a statement from Elections Director Travis Doss.
The May 21 ballot also includes a referendum on giving Augusta’s mayor a vote, an initiative pushed through the legislature last year by Mayor Garnett Johnson.
Because most Augusta elections – including five opposed city commission seats and a superior court judgeship – are nonpartisan, voters will decide them months ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.
With a few exceptions, such as the Richmond County Sheriff, the public will be limited in knowing who is funding the elections until a final financial report due May 7.
Two are challenging Sheriff Richard Roundtree in the Democratic primary: Gino Rock Brantley and Clarence “Bo” Johnson. The winner could face independent Richard Dixon on the November ballot if Dixon secures enough signatures before then.
Three men are running for retiring Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Craig’s seat: Willie Saunders, Charles Lyons and Matt Matson.
According to their last reports due in February, these are the opposed candidates’ fundraising totals. The rest either hadn’t begun fundraising or had not filed a report.
District 1: Jordan Johnson: $6,685 raised, $6,248 on hand
District 5: Don Clark: $15,953 raised, $9,208 on hand; Bobby Williams: $8,850 raised, $2,827 on hand
District 7: Christine Slendak $2,750 raised, $2,750 on hand
Super District 9: Francine Scott: $43,041 raised, $4,675 on hand; Marion Williams: $0 raised, $0 on hand
Sheriff: Richard Roundtree: $16,361 raised, $13,860 on hand; Eugene “Gino the Rock” Brantley: $46,431 raised, $6,850 on hand; Clarence “Bo” Johnson: $9,550 raised, $7,062 on hand; Richard Dixon: $3,140 raised, $1,174 on hand
Non-candidate committees: Augusta Stronger Together: $0 raised, $0 on hand; Moving Augusta Forward: $76,632 raised, $11,869 on hand
Applications to vote by mail can be mailed to the elections office at 535 Telfair St. Suite 500, Augusta GA 30901, faxed to 706-821-2814 or emailed to richmondelections@augustaga.gov.
