Twenty-two Barrow Countians are offering themselves as Republican candidates in the July 15 election and three Democratic candidates qualified.

Qualifying closed Friday at noon, and Election Supervisor Kristi Royston said she hopes the number of candidates indicates the interest the local races will have in order to boost voter turnout in the Primary.

"We are hoping for a good turnout," said Royston, whose office was busy Friday afternoon readying the documents to be submitted to Kennesaw State University Center for Election Systems for the ballot-building.

While some of the local races in Barrow County will be decided in the July 15 Primary or its runoff, three local races won't be determined until the Nov. 4 election when record voter turnout is expected with the Presidential election.

Democratic voters will have three local candidates on their Primary ballot as Incumbent District Commissioner 3 Bill Healan qualified to seek re-election.

Johnny C. Smith, who had earlier joined the Barrow County Republican Party, qualified to seek election of Chief Magistrate on the Democratic ticket. Smith is a former county commissioner and was among the first black elected officials in the county.

James B. Bonnemer Sr., will be the Democratic contender for Sheriff to take on the winner for the Republican nomination for Sheriff.

Barrow County Chief Deputy Murray Kogod and Winder Police Sgt. Jud Smith are the Republican candidates for Sheriff.

County Commission Chairman Doug Garrison will have two Republican opponents in the July 15 election as Danny Yearwood and Jim Beckemeyer qualified on Friday to seek election. Beckemeyer is a former county commissioner and Yearwood was among the citizens speaking out in the controversy surrounding misunderstandings about the Northeast Georgia Regional Airport and against the condemnation of property for the airport's Instrument Landing System (ILS).

The three county commissioners whose terms expire at the end of this year have also drawn challengers.

District 1 Commissioner Jerry Lampp and Larry Joe Wilburn will be on the Repbulican ballot.

Challenging District 2 Commissioner Bill Brown is Eva Elder, the widow of the late Chairman Eddie Elder, who says she determined in the four years since her husband's death that she wants to serve the citizens. They are running as Republicans.

Democrat Healan, in District 3, will see the winner of the Republican Primary between candidates Steve Worley, who qualified on Monday, and Tom Williamson, who qualified Thurday.

In other contested races on the Republican ballot, Chief Magistrate June Davis is being challenged by Monica Durden, who qualified April 30. The Republican winner will face-off against Johnny Smith in November.

Regina Brock McIntyre and Lois Riner Bernius will be on the Republican ballot for Clerk of Superior Court to succeed Gloria Wall, who announced her retirement.

The races for the Barrow County Board of Education seats up for election this year are uncontested.

Seeking re-election without challenge will be Bill Bramlett, School Board District 2; Rickey Bailey, School Board District 6; Lynn Steven, School Board District 5; and Mitch Churchill, School Board District 8 (At-Large).

Unopposed in their re-election quests are Tax Commissioner Melinda Williams and Coroner David Crosby.

State Reps. Terry England and Tommy Benton are unopposed in their re-election bids.

State Sen. Ralph Hudgens, who represents District 47 which includes Barrow, will face Democrat Tim Riley in November. Riley is a professional counselor who lives in Athens.

In the race for Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney, Rick Bridgeman, appointed to fill the duration of Tim Madison's term, will have two opponents. Brad Smith and Donna Sikes are seeking to serve the counties of Barrow, Banks and Jackson as District Attorney.

In statewide races, the Public Service Commission's District 4 Northern post has drawn two Democrats and two Republicans into the race.

On the Republican ballot are businessman Lauren W. McDonald Jr., who formerly represented Barrow in the Georgia General Assembly and now lives in Clarksville, and Pam Davidson, a Renewable Energy Consultant. Davidson lives in Blueridge.

Bob Indech, an engineer from Norcross, and Jim Powell, who is retired from the U.S. Department of Energy and lives in Hiawassee, will be on the Democratic ballot.

Republican incumbent United States Senator Saxby Chambliss will fact the winner of the Democratic Primary process. Five candidates are seeking the party nomination.

Independent Media Consultant Dale Cardwell, DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones, Atlanta Attorney Jim Martin, Josh Lanier, a writer from Statesboro and Atlanta sales director Rand Knight are on the Democratic ticket seeking to challenge Chambliss' re-election bid.

June 23-27 is qualifying for candidates in nonpartisan races and for independent candidates.

Incumbent Congressman John Linder, who represents District 7, will face Democrat Doug Heckman in November. Heckman is an executive living in Norcross.

Tenth District U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, the Republican incumbent, is being challenged by Athens attorney Barry Fleming. The Democratic candidate is Bobby Saxon, an Information Technology Consultant from Nicholson.

The local candidates will be invited to forums being planned for this summer by the Barrow County Republican Party and the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce's Governmental Affairs Committee.

Originally published Sunday, May 4, 2008