Plenty of declared candidates, but which will qualify for Augusta area elections?

Candidate qualifying for the May 24 Georgia general primary and nonpartisan election starts Monday for more than 20 area contests. The period closes Friday, March 11.

The election that’s attracted the most interest so far is Augusta mayor, which has seen 12 candidates register campaigns. One –Commissioner Dennis Williams – had withdrawn last week, but the $1,950 fee to qualify may discourage a few others.

“First of all, we’ve got so many people in the race, I don’t think it portrays a very good image for our community,” Williams said. “I just looked at it and my ability to raise enough funds, and I’m not at that stage yet.”

More: Augusta mayor candidates now tally 11, District 2 hopefuls up to 5

More: Two campaign coffers loaded in race to be Augusta mayor

The two mayoral candidates who have raised the most money are Tax Commissioner Steven Kendrick and businessman Garnett Johnson. Others include former Commissioner Marion Williams, Richmond County school board president Charlie Hannah and retired educator Lori Myles.

Joining the mayor’s race recently was school system trustee A.K. Hasan, who had previously declared his intent to run for District 6, but was drawn out of 6 in the new district map. Hasan is the brother of District 6 Commissioner Ben Hasan.

More: Cut from commission contest, Hasan moves to crowded Augusta mayor's race

More: Kemp signs Augusta redistricting plan into law, despite protest from public, local officials

New district lines determine candidates

District-level elections are going to be impacted by new district lines signed into law last week by Gov. Brian Kemp. In order to be eligible, candidates must live in those districts, some of which changed substantially in the finalized map.

Besides District 6, the changed Augusta districts include District 4, currently held by Alvin Mason. The commission appointed Mason interim commissioner last year after indicted Commissioner Sammie Sias was suspended from office. Former candidate and retired business owner Betty Reece as well as Daryl Walker, who is retired Army, expect to qualify for District 4 this week.

Six seek Williams' Augusta seat

Dennis Williams’ District 2 seat – he is term-limited – has attracted six hopefuls. They include former candidates Von Pouncey, Charles Cummings and Cleveland Garrison, as well as Realtor Stacy Pulliam, retired firefighter Ralph Gunter and activist Leroy “Ray Montana” Crew.

Removing Hasan from District 6 left a void only recently filled by a new candidate. Tony Lewis, who retired from Savannah River Site and works as a basketball official, is the only candidate to declare so far.

In the Super District

In the revised Super District 10, which spans regular Augusta districts 3, 6, 7 and incumbent John Clarke is the only announced candidate. Clarke said he's happy to be the rabble-rouser on the commission who calls for audits and questions government spending.

"I’ve caused a lot of waves and I want to continue to work for the people, not myself,” Clarke said.

Also up for election is District 8, currently held by Commissioner Brandon Garrett.

Don't miss: Columbia County elections

The Columbia County Commission has three partisan posts coming open this year that traditionally are filled in the primary, because no Democrats run.

The seats are currently held by Commission Chairman Doug Duncan, District 1 Commissioner Connie Melear and District 4 Commissioner Dewey Galeas. Only Galeas has opposition so far, from Harlem business owner Alison Couch.

Also open are two Columbia County Board of Education posts, currently held by Kristi Baker and Judy Teasley.

Judges on the ballot

Augusta has three judgeships up for election this year, including that of Chief Civil and Magistrate Judge Carletta Sims Brown, who is being challenged by fellow Democrat and local attorney Katrell Nash in the primary.

Qualifying is this week for two Richmond County State Court judgeships - the one held by Monique Walker and that of Chief Judge David Watkins, who announced his retirement. Two lawyers declared their intent to run for Watkins’ seat, Ashanti L. Pounds and Evita Paschall.

The new two-county Augusta Judicial Circuit Superior Court has three nonpartisan judgeships up for election this year: Those held by Jesse Stone, Ashley Wright and Amanda Heath. So far, local attorney Charles Lyons announced a challenge to Stone and Augusta University attorney Laverne Lewis Gaskins is challenging Wright. The qualifying fee for Superior Court Judge is $3,863.70.

New vacancy on Richmond County State Court

There’s also another vacancy in Richmond County State Court. The State Bar of Georgia posted an ad last week seeking nominees to replace Judge Patricia W. Booker, who it said resigned. Booker was last elected in 2020.

The Columbia County Circuit

The new Columbia County Judicial Circuit has two judgeships in the nonpartisan election - those held by James Blanchard Jr. and J. Wade Padgett. Also to appear on the ballot for the first time is Columbia Circuit District Attorney, held by former U.S. Attorney Bobby Christine.

Chief U.S. District Judge J. Randal Hall agreed to a continuance last week in Sias’ prosecution on charges he destroyed evidence and lied to a federal investigator. Hall set the new date for jury selection in the case as July 18, after a pretrial conference July 14.

How to qualify

Nonpartisan qualifying takes place weekdays at county board of elections offices, starting Monday and ending at noon Friday. Candidates should bring the qualifying fee and be ready to sign an oath certifying they are eligible to run.

Local partisan qualifying for the May 24 general primary takes place at county Republican or Democratic party headquarters.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Candidate qualifying for GA general primary elections starts Monday