Columbia County government preparing for big election year

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

News 12 @ 6 O'clock / NBC 26 News at 7

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Traffic campaign signs throughout Columbia County, signs of another election cycle are already showing.

“Fundraising is starting to go. Signs are starting to come up. Radio ads are starting to come out. Direct mail is starting to come out”

Former Columbia County Commissioner Frank Spears has seen many campaigns before including his own.

“When three out of five are up for election right now that is the majority of the government of Columbia County is up for election,” he said.

As the race for the commission chair heats up that still leaves two seats on the commission open. There's also another seat open on the board of education. But this is the first time in 14 years the county's chairman seat is open.

“It’s important to have someone in that role that represents the county very well and it's going to garner some attention,” said Columbia County Commissioner District 2, Trey Allen.

If money could talk it would show how much people are already investing in the race for Columbia County chairman

As of the end of January current commissioner, Doug Duncan raised more than 107-thousand-dollars. Local builder Mark Herbert raised a little more than 47-thousand and former EMA Director Pam Tucker raised almost 32-thousand.

“The citizens of Columbia County gotta say... ‘Wow this is very big. This is a very big number’.”

Numbers likely to grow with months left before the primary.

Primary elections aren't until May, but there will be a chairman candidate forum tomorrow so you can hear all three of them speak.