What to expect on ballots in Twiggs and Bleckley Counties

Election day is quickly approaching, but those who haven’t voted early still have a chance to learn more about the candidates on their ballots. 

U.S. House of Representatives

The U.S. House of Representatives District 8 seat is up for grabs, and that contest will appear on both Twiggs and Bleckley County ballots. Incumbent Austin Scott (R) is running against Darrius Butler (D). 

Scott currently represents Middle and South Georgia in the Capitol and resides in Tifton. He serves on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee in the House. According to his campaign website, he supports “limited government, small business job growth, a strong national defense and a healthy agricultural economy.” Scott was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1996 to 2011 and assumed his current position in 2011. Learn more at scottforga.com.

Butler was born and raised in Hawkinsville in a family of pastors and public servants. He’s an associate minister at City of Praise Church, a business owner and non-profit leader. His campaign centers around “showing up, listening to the people of South Georgia and finding resources to solve our problems,” Butler’s campaign website says. His website lists many goals for his campaign, but chief among them are creating avenues for constituents to bring their concerns to his attention, advocating for working class families, and aiding counties within the district with little to no healthcare available. Learn more at darriusbutler.com.

Bleckley County

On a local level, there are no contested races in Bleckley County in this election cycle. 

Slated to win their races uncontested are:

— State Senate District 20: Larry Walker, incumbent (R)

— State House of Representatives District 133: Danny Mathis, incumbent (R)

— District Attorney Oconee Judicial Circuit: Timothy G. Vaughn, incumbent (R)

— Clerk of Superior Court: Carol Evans, incumbent (R)

— Sheriff: Daniel Cape, incumbent (R)

— Tax Commissioner: Paige Baggs, incumbent (R)

— Surveyor: David W. Arnold, incumbent (R)

— Coroner: Michael Francis (R)

— Sole County Commissioner: Mike Davis, incumbent (R)

Bleckley’s sole polling place is located at Jaycee Barn located at 290 Ash St.

Voters can cast their ballots early until Friday at 5 p.m. at the Bleckley County Voter Registrar’s Office at 106 E. Cherry St. 

Twiggs County

There are three local contested races in Twiggs County. 

In the race for County Commission Chairman are Casey Callaway (R) and incumbent Ken Fowler (D).

Running for County Commission District 1 are Wade C. Huffman (R) and incumbent Lonnie Ford (D). 

For County Commission District 3, Roger Hill  (R) and incumbent Keith L. Washington, Sr. (D) are facing off.

Slated to win their races uncontested are:

— State Senate District 26: David E. Lucas, Sr., incumbent (D)

— State House of Representatives District 133: Danny Mathis, incumbent (R)

— District Attorney Dublin Judicial Circuit: Harold D. McLendon (R)

— Clerk of Superior Court: Karen Fountain Burke (D)

— Sheriff: Darren Mitchum, incumbent (D)

— Tax Commissioner: E. Walton “Buddy” Nesmith, incumbent (D)

— Coroner: Harold L. Reece, Jr., incumbent (R)

— County Commission District 2: James Clayton “Clay” Floyd, incumbent (R)

— County Commission District 4: Steve Birdsong, incumbent (D)

— County Board of Education District 2: Teresa Dupree Blackshear, incumbent (D)

— County Board of Education District 4: Chesney “Chachi” Butler (R)

Election day polling places depend on the voter’s residence and can be found at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov. Early voting takes place until Friday at 5 p.m. at the Twiggs Courthouse located at 425 Railroad St. N.