Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Campaign qualifying underway By J. FRANK LYNCH jflynch@theCitizenNews.com Post 1 County Commissioner A.G. Van Landingham remained the lone incumbent official up for re-election in Fayette County this year who had not yet qualified to run again as of Tuesday morning. Lane Watts, Chairman of the Fayette County Republican Party, said the current office holders in 11 other local positions — all Republicans — had announced their intentions to seek re-election and filed the proper paperwork at the GOP headquarters in Fayetteville. Just three party challengers had emerged so far in any of the local races as well, Watts said. It was unclear if any Democrats intend to make a run for public office this season in overwhelmingly Republican Fayette, but none were reported as of Tuesday. Watts said the pattern for qualifying wasn’t unusual, with incumbents often registering to run again on the first day of the weeklong period. Challengers, perhaps unsure of the field, often wait to the end of week before finally throwing their hats into the ring. Qualifying also began Monday at the Capitol for state house and senate seats, based on newly drawn legislative maps. Non-partisian state judgeships are also up for grabs. As of Tuesday morning, Watts reported the following candidates had qualified for the July 20 Primary election: Board of Education Post 1 • Janet Smola (I), 310 Pendleton Trail, Tyrone Board Of Education Post 2 • Terri Smith (I), 353 Bankstown Road, Brooks Board of Education Post 3 • Marion Key (I), 277 Nelms Road, Fayetteville • Connie Leary, 613 Spectrum Vista, Peachtree City Board of Commissioners Post 2 • Herb Frady (I), 26 Perthshire Drive, Peachtree City Board of Commissioners Post 3 • Sam Chapman, 175 Brechin Drive, Senoia • Peter Pfeifer (I), 220 Copperplate Lane, Peachtree City Coroner: • C.J. Mowell, Jr. (I), 161 Gingercake Trail, Fayetteville Clerk of Superior Court • Sheila Studdard (I), 430 Merrydale Drive, Fayetteville Probate Judge • Martha Stephenson (I), 530 Hawthorne Drive, Fayetteville Sheriff • Randall Johnson (I), 577 Westbridge Road, Fairburn Solicitor General-State Court • James K. Inagawa, 136 Holly Springs Drive, Peachtree City • Lura Handley Landis, 195 Innisbrook Way, Fayetteville Tax Commissioner • George Wingo (I), 115 Duchess Court, Fayetteville