Every election season, I get numerous requests for my opinion on candidates and issues. Early voting begins next Tuesday and I am getting requests already. So here is how I am voting.
Statewide Races
US Senate – Mike Collins
Governor – Rick Jackson
Lt. Governor – Greg Golezal
Secretary of State – Tim Fleming
Attorney General – Brian Strickland
Commissioner of Agriculture – Tyler Harper
Commissioner of Insurance – John King
State School Superintendent – Richard Woods
Commissioner of Labor – Barbara Rivera Holmes
Public Service Commissioner District 3 – Fitz Johnson
Public Service Commissioner District 5 – Josh Tolbert
US Congress District 8 – Austin Scott
US Congress District 2 – Matt Day (Crisp County is in 8th District)
GA House and Senate Races for Crisp County
State Senate District 13 – Carden Summers
State House of Representatives District 148 – Noel Williams, Jr.
District Attorney – Lyndsey Walters
Crisp County Offices – Not All Races on all Ballots
County Commissioner – District 1 Post 2 – No Republican – No vote
County Commissioner – District 2 Post 1 – Mark Crenshaw
Board of Education – District 3 – No Republican – No Vote
Board of Education – District 4 – Chris Anderson
Board of Education – District 5 At Large – Paul Arnett
Constitutional Amendments
Amendment 1 – Increase Acreage to 4,000 acres – Yes
Some family farms have grown in size. The increase in acreage keeps more property in farmland.
Amendment 2 – Probate Non-Partisan – Yes
All other judges are non-partisan. This dilutes political parties but since all other judges are non-partisan I am voting Yes.
Amendment 3 – 9-1-1 funding for next generation – Yes
Fees are currently collected for 9-1-1 funding may not be rolled over into the next year but are put into the general fund. This amendment carves out an exception to allow 9-1-1 funds to be rolled over and accumulate in a trust fund which can be used to bring 9-1-1- services into the next generation. The primary objection is that currently 9-1-1 funding is local and this would shift to more state responsibility.
Crisp County Referendum for 1% Floating Local Option Sales Tax – Yes
This requires a direct reduction of property taxes for Cordele and Crisp County. It has a term of 5 years.
Continuation of a 1% ESPLOST – Yes
This is a continuation or reauthorization of the Educational special option sales tax. One of the specified projects is a new agricultural facility which has been long needed and is listed as the top priority.
Early voting begins Tuesday, October 13. I encourage you to vote early and get your friends to go vote. The statewide contests in particular need a strong turnout in the rural areas or else we will be swallowed up by the metro areas of Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Columbus, Macon, and Albany.
