Know Your Candidates

Paulding County voters who choose a Democratic ballot at their polling places today will have few choices to make, as the party’s primary elections feature no competitive races.

But those who opt for a Republican ballot will have several options at their fingertips.

Local voters will head to their regular polling places to cast their ballots in today’s primary elections. Those who do not know their polling location can visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s Voter Information page to find that information.

Once they arrive, those who select Republican ballots will get to select their preferred candidates in most of these competitive races (the appearance of state races on the ballot will depend on the voter’s polling place):

• Paulding County Board of Commissioners Chairman — David Austin (Incumbent), Tony Crowe. (.)
• County Commissioner, Post 1 — David Carmichael, Heidi Leggett. (.)
• Chief Magistrate — Dan Collins, Brian Hardison, Fred Henderson, Martin Valbuena (I). (See videos of the four candidates and .)
• Coroner — Sam Clark (I), Jeff Eberhart.
• Surveyor — Carlton Rakestraw (I), Jon Tripcony.
• School Board At Large — Justin Rowland, Joe Watson (I). (See videos of the candidates at this link.)
• State Senate, District 31 — Bill Carruth, Bill Heath (I), J.K. Rogers.
• State Representative, District 19 — Paulette Rakestraw Braddock (I), Michael Ray James, Melissa Morrison. (.)
• State Representative, District 66 — Michael “Mike” Miller, Bob Snelling, Mickey Thompson. (See video of the candidates and .)
• Public Service Commission, District 5 — Pam Davidson, Stan Wise (I).

Who will you be supporting in today's primary? Tell us in the comments.

Several races voters will see on their ballots will have only candidate listed:

Republican ballots

• Sheriff — Gary Gulledge (Incumbent).
• Judge, Probate Court — Deborah Andersen (I).
• Clerk, Superior Court — Treva Shelton (I).
• Tax Commissioner — Bill Watson (I).
• School Board District 1 — Theresa Lyons (I).
• School Board District 3 — Kim Cobb (I).
• School Board District 4 — Richard Manous.
• State Senate, District 30 — Bill Hamrick (I).
• State Representative, District 17 — Howard Maxwell (I).
• State Representative, District 67 — Bill Hembree (I).
• U.S. Representative, District 14 — Tom Graves (I).

Democratic ballots

• State Representative, District 66 — Kimberly Alexander.
• State Representative, District 67 — Leigh Mcmutry.
• U.S. Representative, District 14 — Daniel “Danny” Grant.

Nonpartisan races

• Superior Court Judge, Paulding Circuit (Beavers) — Tonny S. Beavers (I).
• Superior Court Judge, Paulding Circuit (Vinson) — Kenneth G. Vinson (I).

Return to Dallas-Hiram Patch tonight for up-to-the-minute coverage of election results.

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