The results of the May General Primary are in, and this spring was a good one for incumbents running in Athens-Clarke County.
Commissioners Carol Myers and Melissa Link as well as Sheriff John Q. Williams held onto their seats, receiving double digit leads over their opponents.
Sheriff Williams is pleased about the win.
“I’m just thankful. Other sheriffs have told me, and I take this to heart, the seat doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to the people of Clarke County, because that’s where I am, and it’s an honor to be able to do this for four more years. I’ll be here as long as things are progressing. As long as the people want me, I want to help this community,” he says.
Williams says his first goal is to secure higher pay for sheriff’s deputies in order to retain and recruit personnel. He also recently addressed the commission about a lack of funding for the county jail and is hopeful they will dedicate more money to his office.
“I’m very hopeful, I’ve talked to a few commissioners since then. I think they see my side, and it’s just a matter of if they can and also choose to work that into the budget,” he explains.
In a closer commission race in District 6, former County Auditor Stephanie Johnson beat her opponent, business owner Rashe Malcolm.
One incumbent candidate has yet to secure their seat, however. Current Clarke County School District Board of Education member Claudia Butts will face Mary Bagby in a runoff election in District 2.
The election did decide several other local races. Michael Eberhardt will take the helm as coroner, while JP Lemay will be ACC’s new tax commissioner.
