Candidate qualifying starts Tuesday to fill the state House seat left empty by the Oct. 13 death of Rep. Henry “Wayne” Howard. The “special primary election” is Dec. 20.
Howard, 67, was up for reelection Nov. 8. He had no Republican opposition.
The special primary election will be open to Democratic candidates only, the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office said.
Georgia has no official party registration so any resident of the district can run, as long as they qualify with the Democratic Party.
Candidate qualifying will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3. It will take place at the Democratic Party of Georgia, 501 Pulliam St. Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30312.
The fee to run is $400. Advance voting starts Nov. 28 for the Dec. 20 election.
Howard represented House District 129, the former District 124 renumbered during redistricting. The district was redrawn during redistricting but remains roughly bounded by the Savannah River, Columbia County line, Gordon Highway and Bobby Jones Expressway, omitting areas along Walton Way and Wheeler Road.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theagugustapress.com
