Augusta voters make choices Tuesday that will impact them for the next four years.
On the ballot are six contested local nonpartisan elections and two county Democratic primaries for which there are no Republican candidates. There is also a binding referendum that would give Augusta’s mayor a vote.
Over 7% of registered voters already cast ballots during early voting, and voters must use their assigned polling places Tuesday. The sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Five Augusta Commission seats come open this year and three incumbents have opposition.
In District 1, incumbent Jordan Johnson is defending his downtown seat against a challenge from former Commissioner Matt Aitken, now a real estate broker who served a single term from 2009-2012.
Johnson, executive director of the voting advocacy group Georgia Shift, also faces challenges from repeat candidate Jo’Rae Jenkins and newcomer Kenny Osorio.
If none of the four gets more than 50% of votes, the race heads to a runoff June 18.
In District 3, which runs from Summerville to Jimmie Dyess Parkway, incumbent Catherine Smith McKnight faces two challengers from the western end of the district.
McKnight, the daughter of former commissioner Grady Smith, is being challenged by retired educator and hair replacement expert Carol Jones Yancy, as well as dentist Joidaz Gaines.
In District 5, which cuts a wide path from Fort Eisenhower east to Peach Orchard Road, incumbent Bobby Williams has a challenge from newcomer Don Clark.
A retired educator, Williams is opposed by the retired Army veteran, who garnered a bronze star and lives in the Jimmie Dyess area added to District 5 during redistricting.
In District 7, the Washington Road-west Augusta district, two are vying for the commission seat held by Sean Frantom, who is term-limited.
Architecture office manager Tina Slendak and VA physician and pain medicine chief Marshall Bedder are competing for the post.
In Super District 9, comprised of regular districts 1, 2, 4 and 5, incumbent Francine Scott, a retired state employee, faces a challenge from former four-term commissioner Marion Williams, a pastor and retired railroad employee.
The last few months have seen Mayor Garnett Johnson campaign vigorously for the chance to have a vote on all commission actions, rather than simply in the event of a tie. Johnson’s political action committee has spent heavily with community groups to foster support.
More recently, a “no” campaign has gained force, complaining Johnson omitted the Black community from discussions leading up to state legislators dropping a bill requiring the referendum.
Three local lawyers are vying to replace Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Craig, who is retiring.
The candidates are Willie Saunders, who serves as chief juvenile court judge, Matt Matson, a local lawyer in private practice and Charles H.S. Lyons III, who challenged Jesse Stone for his judgeship two years ago.
Two career lawmen are challenging Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree in the Democratic primary: Deputy Richmond County Marshal Gino Rock Brantley and retired federal air marshal Bo Johnson.
For Augusta Circuit district attorney, DA Jared Williams faces a Democratic primary challenge from Amber Brantley, a Columbia County ADA who lives in Richmond County.
