Representation for Districts 3 and 5 in Oglethorpe County will not see changes — both for the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education. However, there will be a runoff between incumbent Lewis “Phil” Sanders and Howard Sanders to decide the District 1 Commissioner race.
The 2022 Georgia Primary Election for Oglethorpe County had 36.5% voter turnout, with 3,955 residents casting ballots out of 10,762 registered voters. The early voting period was slow; however, things picked up on Election Day.
“I feel that we had a very good turnout,” election supervisor Marilyn Huff-Waller said on election night. “It started out slow, but it really picked up near the end.”
Board of Commissioners
Oglethorpe County had three Board of Commissioners seats up for election, two of which were contested. In District 1, there was a three-way race between Republicans: former county coroner Howard Sanders, Darrius Tompkins and incumbent Lewis “Phil” Sanders. Phil Sanders finished with 40.6% of the vote or 226 total votes. However, by not receiving 50% or more, he will go against Howard Sanders in a runoff for the District 1 seat.
Phil Sanders and Howard Sanders did not respond to requests for comment by presstime. The runoff will be on June 21 to decide who the District 1 commissioner will be.
In District 3, Republican Debra Furbish attempted to unseat longtime incumbent David R. Clark, who also qualified as a Republican. Clark kept his seat by receiving 433 votes, which was 65.4% of the vote, and defeating Furbish, who received 192 votes or 31%.
“My family and I appreciate everyone’s support and votes of confidence,” Clark said. “I am encouraged and determined to always be available while people need me. I am committed to continue providing leadership for District 3 and the Oglethorpe County we love.”
After taking almost 80% of the vote in 2018 to become the District 5 commissioner, Republican incumbent Tracy Norman was unopposed this year and kept his seat.
Board of Education
The county had two board of education seats up for election. However, both seats — in Districts 3 and 5 — were unopposed. Republican Susan Robinson claimed the seat left open by Dave Hawkins in District 3. Hawkins did not seek re-election due to redistricting. Incumbent Becky Soto reclaimed her seat in District 5, and she’s the current chair of the board.
E-SPLOST and SPLOST results
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education called for a vote on continuing a 1-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Education (E-SPLOST) for another five years.
There were a total of 2,769 votes, 72.07%, to continue the tax, so it will be in effect until 2027.
The Oglethorpe County School District said “thank you Oglethorpe County community for supporting the future of education in our county” on its Facebook page Wednesday.
The other special election was to determine if the county should impose a 1-percent sales tax for another five years that would raise an estimated $8 million to improve transportation issues, such as roads, bridges and public safety vehicles and infrastructure. SPLOST was approved by 74.9% of county voters or 2,899 votes.
Georgia State House (District 124)
Both the Republican and Democratic candidates in the primary were unnoposed, so incumbent Trey Rhodes will run against Democrat Kat Howkins in the November election.
Georgia State Senate (District 24)
Incumbent Lee Anderson was unopposed in the Republican primary for state Senate for District 24. There were no candidates for this race in the Democratic primary.
U.S. House (District 10)
Both the Democratic and Republican primaries for this race were heavily contested, with five in the Democratic race and eight in the Republican race, and both will be headed to a runoff with 95% of the precincts reporting. These 13 candidates were vying to replace U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, R-Greensboro, who ran for Georgia Secretary of State and was defeated by incumbent Brad Raffensperger.
For the Republicans, Mike Collins is in the lead with 26% of the vote, with Vernon Jones close behind at 22% and Timothy Barr at 14%. For Democrats, Tabitha Johnson-Green has 42% of the vote, with Jessica Allison Fore as the next closest vote-getter at 19%.