Political winds may bring big changes

By the end of this year, the political picture of Swainsboro city government could see some dramatic changes thanks to a crowded slate of races. A majority of the six city council seats as well as the mayor’s spot are all up for grabs. This election season begins with the June 17 city election for the District 1 city council seat between Sue Bragg and Lafonda Hackett Kelly. Early voting for this contest will begin on May 27 and will be held at the new Davis-Thompson Building on Moring Street. This special election was necessitated by the resignation of Councilperson J.D. Davis earlier this year. Following the District 1 race, there will be Fall elections for District 3 now held by Johnny Ray Stafford, District 4 currently held by Bobbie Collins, and District 6 now represented by Greg Quarterman. Qualifying for these seats will be held August 18 -22. Qualifying for the election of Mayor of Swainsboro will be held the third week in August as well. Other elections coming up elsewhere in the county include the races for city commissioners 1 and 2 in Twin City and the selection of two council seats in Stillmore. Qualifying for the Twin City and Stillmore elections will also be August 18-22. All of these regular elections will be on the ballot for the November general election. Although no hats have officially been thrown into the ring for the fall elections, the coming months should provide some interesting political highlights and possibly some surprising changes by year’s end.