Covering the 2024 primary election in a highly watched statewide race, Georgia Supreme Court Justice Andrew Pinson survived a challenge from former congressman John Barrow…winning 55 percent of the vote. The 37-year-old Pinson won a six-year term after Gov. Brian Kemp appointed him to the nine-member court in 2022. The 69-year-old Barrow made support for abortion rights central to his campaign.
Covering Tuesday’s primary election, first in Clarke County, Melissa Link will retains her post as District 2 county commissioner, taking 68.5 percent of the vote over Jason Jacobs. Another incumbent, Carol Myers will serve again as the District 8 commissioner with 72.5 percent of the vote defeating Sidney Waters. And Stephanie Johnson is the new District 6 commissioner with 58% of the vote over Rashe Malcom. For Board of Education District 2, Claudia Butts and Mary Bagby face a runoff after a three way race left no candidate with a majority. John Q Williams will serve another term as Sheriff with 65.3 percent of the vote over Tommy Dorsey. Michael Eberhart becomes the new county coroner for Clarke.
In Oconee County, John Daniel defeats Republican challenger Pamela Hendrix for County Commission chairman with 78.3 percent of the vote. Mark Saxon wins over Republican Victoria Cruz with 82.8 percent of the vote for post 4. There were a total of 10 questions on the ballot in Oconee County involving the homestead exemption. They all passed. Michael Ransom wins Post 1 for the Oconee County Board of Education…that position is chairman of the board. Adam Hammond wins a three way race for Board of Education Post 4, Brock Toole wins Post 5,
In Jackson County, a four way race in the Republican primary for sheriff showed Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Training Director Kevin McCook winning the primary without a runoff with 64 percent of the vote.
In Morgan County, six candidates were seeking to replace incumbent Sheriff Robert Markley with did not run. Johnny Pritchett and Tyler Hooks will compete in a runoff.
In Senate District 47, which includes several parts of the great Athens area, incumbent Frank Ginn wins over Republican challenger Ross Harvin with 62 percent of the vote.
