Retired Army sergeant major Lonnie Wimberly cruised to victory Tuesday in the District 4 Augusta Commission special election.
Wimberly, a former city employee currently serving on the city’s Charter Review Committee, won all precincts and carried 61.75% of the vote, or 2,210 votes. Turnout was 23.66%.
Gathered with supporters to celebrate at a Tobacco Road Jamaican restaurant, Wimberly said it was his “boots on the ground” approach and understanding of the challenge that led him to victory.
“You have to know your opponent and know the grounds you’ll be fighting on,” Wimberly said. “That’s why I had the confidence that I would win.”
His win cuts short the tenure of interim Commissioner Tanya Barnhill-Turnley, whom the commission elected in July to replace Commissioner Alvin Mason, who resigned.
Barnhill-Turnley, who was endorsed by Mason and Richmond County Sheriff Gino Brantley, posted her campaign was having a watch party Tuesday at Julian Smith Casino Barbecue Pit.
Current and former mayoral candidate Steven Kendrick, one of several current and former elected officials to gather at the restaurant, said Wimberly’s demeanor made him a good fit for District 4.
“He’s calm, soothing. It’s the right temperament for his district,” Kendrick said.
The victory takes effect immediately. Wimberly said he’ll make arrangements Wednesday to take his oath of office. The commission has a budget work session Thursday.
The win secures for Wimberly the last year of Mason’s term, 2026, but he can’t slow down. The seat as well as several other commission seats and the mayor’s office are up for election in May.
New homestead exemption passes
In other Richmond County results, a new homestead exemption for property taxes passed with 76.85% of votes. The exemption caps annual reassessment increases — the property revaluations that can send a tax bill skyrocketing — at 3.2%.
Blythe mayor, council elections
The south Richmond and partially Burke County town of Blythe likely has a new mayor in Rebecca Bartlett Newsome, a barber who served on the Blythe City Council.
Newsome’s margin of victory was only three votes, however. In the low-turnout election, Newsome had 104 votes to contender Anna Reeves’ 101 votes.
The slim margin could lead to a recount, and the results are not yet certified.
Former Blythe council member Edward LaJoie came in third, with 74 votes.
Winning two open seats on the Blythe City Council were Army veteran Mike Rineer, who had 151 votes and incumbent Philip Lee Stewart, with 136 votes. The top two finishers in the four-way race won the seats.
Richmond County favors Democrats in PSC races
Richmond County voters aided the upset that saw Democrats unseat two Republicans in statewide Georgia Public Service Commission elections.
In the District 2 seat, challenger Alicia M. Johnson, a Democrat, garnered 80.17% of Richmond County votes. Republican incumbent Tim Echols received 19.83%. Statewide, Johnson won 60%.
For the Atlanta-area District 3 seat, Democratic challenger Peter Hubbard had 79.45% of Richmond County votes to GOP incumbent Fitz Johnson’s 20.55%. Statewide, Hubbard had 60%.
