Local candidates qualify

By Angie Thompson/senior reporter

TIFTON May 01, 2008 07:57 pm

— Local candidates wishing their names on the 2008 General Election this fall have until noon today to file a qualifying application. Democrats qualify at the office of Joe Kunes and Republican candidates at the office of Joseph Carter. Both offices are located on Second Street across from the Tift County Courthouse.
According to the Secretary of State’s Web site, the qualifying period for nonpartisan, independent and political body candidates for the Nov. 4 General Election will begin at 9 a.m. June 23 and end at noon on June 27.
As of the end of the day Thursday, the following people have qualified for office and are listed along with their party affiliations.

• Tift County Judge of Probate Court
Suzanne Carter Johnson (Rep. - incumbent)
Ella Pettiford (Dem.)
D. Brian Walker (Rep.)

• Tift County Magistrate Court Judge
Doug Jones (Rep. - incumbent)
Clay Yelverton (Rep.)

• Tift County Commission, District 7 (Chair)
Daughtry Melton (Dem.)
Grady Thompson (Rep. - incumbent)

• Tift County Commission, District 2

• Tift County Commission, District 5
Fred W. “Buck” Rigdon Jr. (Rep. - incumbent)

• Tift County Tax Commissioner
Gene Goode (Dem. - incumbent)

• Tift County Sheriff
Raleigh Coarsey (Rep.)
Gary Vowell (Rep. - incumbent)

• Tift County Board of Education, District 7 (at-large post)
Shawn Utley (Rep.)

• Tift County Board of Education, District 1
Betty Parson (Dem. - incumbent)

• Tift County Board of Education, District 3
Liz Carson Keith (Rep.)
Kim Rutland (Rep.)

• Clerk of Superior Court
Gwen Pate (incumbent)

• Tift County Coroner
Steve Wood (Rep.)

• State House of Representatives District 153
Doug Hughes (Dem.)
Austin Scott (Rep. - incumbent)
John Tibbetts (Dem.)

• State Senate District 13
Joseph Carter (Rep. - incumbent)

• District Attorney - Tifton Circuit
Paul Bowden (Dem. - incumbent)