The Oglethorpe County District 1 Board of Commissioners runoff will be decided between incumbent Lewis “Phil” Sanders and Howard Sanders during the runoff election on Tuesday, June 21.
The cousins feel confident about their campaigns and have been competitive while remaining friendly relatives.
After failing to receive 50% of the vote (40.6%, 226 votes), Phil Sanders went back to reaching out to voters.
“That’s just the way that it goes,” he said when asked about going into a runoff. “I would have to say that I’m the best candidate.”
Howard has also reached out to voters and is pleased with the feedback he’s received. The former county coroner received 33% of the votes (181 votes), enough to force the runoff.
“I feel that I have a great chance of winning the runoff,” Howard said. “I urge every registered voter to please vote. Vote for the person you feel will best represent your district.”
There are six other runoffs — one Republican and five Democratic — on the ballot.
The Republican race is a runoff between Mike Collins and Vernon Jones to decide the District 10 seat for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Collins, a trucking company executive, made a stop in Lexington on Tuesday, as a part of his 18-Wheel, 18-County Truck Tour.
The Republican nominee will run against the winner between Jessica Fore and Tabitha Johnson-Green in the Democratic runoff.
Election Day is scheduled for Nov. 8.
For lieutenant governor, Democrats Charlie Bailey and Kwanza Hall are the candidates. The nominee will face off against Republican Burt Jones.
Dee Dawkins-Haigler and Bee Nguyen are the Democratic candidates in the Secretary of State runoff. The winner will challenge incumbent Brad Raffensperger.
For commissioner of Insurance, Democrats Raphael Baker and Janice Laws Robinson will compete to represent the Democratic party against Republican incumbent John King.
The Democratic commissioner of labor runoff will be decided between William “Will” Boddie Jr. and Nicole Horn. The nominee will face off against GOP nominee Bruce Thompson.
Thirteen absentee ballots had been returned and 47 people had voted early in Oglethorpe County, as of June 13.
Early voting for all runoffs ends at 5 p.m. Friday, June 17. Voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m on Tuesday, June 21.