Qualifying for Muscogee County political races closes with a few surprises

Chuck Williams
·3 min read

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Qualifying has closed for local political races. The qualifying period did not end Friday without a few surprises.

Longtime Muscogee County Tax Commissioner Lula Huff will not seek re-election. Her chief assistant, David Britt was the only person to qualify and will take the office at the end of the year when Huff’s term expires.

Also, District Attorney Stacey Jackson did not qualify because of serious health concerns. He has been on medical leave since late November for an undisclosed condition. His Chief Assistant Don Kelly qualified as a Republican. Democrat Anthony Johnson, a criminal defense attorney and Army Reserves JAG officer, also qualified. That race will be decided in the November General. The primary elections will be Tuesday May 21.

Here’s what we know about the upcoming races.

  • Columbus City Council

    • There are five races on the ballot so far.

    • Three councilors have no opposition. They are:

      • Glenn Davis (District 2)

      • Gary Allen (District 6)

      • Walker Garret (District 8).

    • District 4 Councilor Toyia Tucker is facing challenger Tyrone Thomas.

    • Four candidates are vying to fill the District 10 seat vacated by John House. They are:

      • John Anker

      • Travis Chamber

      • Patrick Leonard

      • Rocky Marsh.

  • Muscogee County School Board

    • Three school board members seeking re-election are running without opposition. They are:

      • Pat Hugely Green (District 1 representative and chairperson)

      • Venessa K. Jackson (District 3 representative)

      • Laurie Cochran McRae (District 5 member).

    • District 7 member Pat Frey is facing a challenge from Laketha Ashe.

      • This is a rematch from the 2023 race the two ran to fill a seat vacated by Cathy Williams. Frey won by the slimmest of margins.

  • Muscogee County Sherriff

    • Incumbent Democrat Greg Countryman will face Republican challenger Mark LaJoye in November.

  • Solicitor General (State Court prosecutor)

    • Incumbent Suzanne Goddard is running as a Republican against Democratic challenger Shevon Thomas Sr.

      • This is a contested race.

  • Muscogee County Coroner

    • Incumbent Buddy Bryan is facing a challenge from Royal Anderson in the Democratic primary in May.

    • There is no Republican candidate.

  • Chattahoochee Circuit District Attorney

    • Republican Don Kelly faces off against Democrat Anthony Johnson to fill the seat vacated by Stacey Jackson.

    • Jackson was appointed in 2022 and won’t seek election because of health reasons.

  • Muscogee County Tax Commissioner

    • Lula Huff is not seeking re-election.

  • State House 137

    • Debbie Buckner (D – Incumbent) vs. Carlton Mahone (D) in Primary, winner will face Stephen Acorn (R) in November. May and November Election

  • State House 139

    • Sean Knox (R) vs. Carmen Rice (R) vs. Don Moeller (R), winner will face Carl Sprayberry (D) in November.

    • This is a special election on April 9 before this election among Knox, Rice, Moeller, and a 4th candidate Robert Mallard (Independent)). April, May, and November Election

  • State House 140

    • Teddy Reese (D – Incumbent) vs. Alyssa Nia Williams (D). There is no Republican in the race.

  • State Senate 29

    • Randy Robertson (R – Incumbent) vs. Ellen Wright (D) – November Election

  • US House 2

    • Sanford Bishop (D – Incumbent) will face winner of Republican Primary: Wayne Johnson (R), Chuck Hand (R), Michael Nixon (R), and Reggie Liparoto (R).

  • US House 3

    • Brian Jack (R), Jim Bennett (R), Mike Crane (R), Mike Dugan (R), Philip Singleton (R), Ray Blair (R). Winner will face either Maura Keller (D) or Val Almonord (D) – May and November Election

  • Superior Court Judges, Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit

    • All six sitting judges qualified without opposition — Judge Art Smith, Judge Gil McBride, Judge Bobby Peters, Judge Maureen Gottfried, Judge John Martin and Judge Ben Richardson.

  • State Court Judge, Muscogee County

    • Judge Pete Temesgen is running without opposition.

  • Municipal Court Judge, Columbus

    • Incumbent Judge Steven Smith is running as a Democrat without opposition.

  • Probate Judge, Muscogee County

    • Incumbent Judge Marc D’Antonio is running as a Democrat without opposition.

  • Clerk Municipal Court, Columbus

    • Incumbent Judge Marc D’Antonio is running as a Democrat without opposition.

  • Clerk Municipal Court, Columbus

    • Incumbent Reginald Thompson is running as a Democrat without opposition.

  • Clerk of Superior/State Court, Muscogee County

    • Incumbent Danielle F Forte is running as a Democrat without opposition.

  • Georgia Court of Appeals

    • Judge Ben Land of Columbus is running in the non-partisan race without opposition.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.