State, federal races also draw local interest
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Qualifying continues through mid-day Friday for local, state and federal posts.
Qualifying is underway for the upcoming May 19 General Primary Election/Nonpartisan Election, and multiple individuals have filled out qualifying paperwork for Magistrate Judge and for seats on the Rabun County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education.
Qualifying continues Thursday, March 5, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Friday, March 6, from 9 a.m until noon.
Qualifying for Democrats and nonpartisan parties is being held at the Rabun County Elections Office, 184 South Main Street, Suite 102, Clayton.
The Rabun County Republican Party is holding its qualifying at the Rabun County Courthouse, 25 Courthouse Sq., Clayton.
As of press time Wednesday, incumbent Magistrate Judge James V. Blalock and Kenneth Watts had filled out qualifying paperwork for the nonpartisan Magistrate Judge seat, according to Rabun County Elections Office officials.
The qualifying fee for Magistrate Judge is $738, which is 3 percent of the position’s salary of $24,600.
No Democrats had yet qualified for the local offices, officials said.
Those wanting to qualify as Republicans for Rabun County Commissioner Post 4 include incumbent Kent Woerner and Marty Kilby.
Incumbent Commissioner Scott Crane filled out qualifying paperwork to seek re-election to the Post 5 seat. Roy Lovell also filled out qualifying paperwork for Post 5 commissioner.
The qualifying fee for the Board of Commissioners is $162, with a salary of $5,400.
Rabun County Board of Education Post 1 and Post 3 seats are also on the May 19 ballot.
Incumbent Board of Education Member Scott Horton was the only individual who had filled out qualifying paperwork for the Post 1 seat, as of press time Wednesday. Post 1 is the “at-large” seat.
Mark Beck has the Rabun County Board of Education Post 3 seat. No one had filled out qualifying paperwork for the post as of press time Wednesday.
The qualifying fee for the Board of Education is $18, with a salary of $600.
“A pauper’s affidavit may be filed in lieu of paying the qualifying fee,” according to the legal advertisement from the Rabun County Board of Elections. “All persons who are not registered to vote and who desire to register to vote in the General Primary Election may register to vote through the close of business on April 20, 2026.”
The Rabun County Courthouse is currently undergoing renovations with the main entrance not operational at this time. Visitors to the courthouse can utilize the ramp on the side entrance (Highway 76 side).
While the magistrate judge and posts for the school board and county commission are drawing local attention, qualifying for state and federal positions are garnering state and national looks as of the close of business on Tuesday.
Qualifying will continue through mid-day Friday as Republican incumbent Georgia State Sen. Bo Hatchett of District 50 has opposition from Democrat Robin Emilia McCoy of Lawrenceville, according to filings with the Georgia Secretary of State Office.
Hatchett is from Clarkesville.
Republican incumbent House Rep. Victor Anderson of Cornelia has Democrat John Brown as a qualifier. Brown is a Clayton resident.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde of Jefferson faces opposition in his own party from Joel Gregory Poole of Lula and Warren Samuel Couvillon of Gainesville. Nick Alex of the Persimmon Community has qualified as a Democrat in the Ninth Congressional District race.
Three Republicans have qualified for the opportunity to face incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Derek Dooley of Clayton; Earl L. “Buddy” Carter of Savannah and Michael Allen Collins Jr. of Athens have qualified thus far on the Republican side.
Publisher Enoch Autry contributed to this article.