More qualify for county, state elected offices on Tuesday

ALBANY — While Monday’s opening of qualifying for county and state offices came with a flurry of activity, Tuesday saw a steady stream of qualifiers in Albany and Atlanta.

In Dougherty County races, political newcomer Susie Ealum qualified late Monday to run for the Dougherty County School Board at-large seat being vacated by Lane Price, filling out the four-seat DCSS school board ballot. Incumbents James Bush, Robert Youngblood and Velvet Riggins had qualified earlier.

“My family is my foundation and Dougherty County is my home,” Ealum said. “As a young child the importance of an education has been ingrained in me. Proper education prepares our young adults to enter the workforce and I want to be part of that.”

In other county races, incumbent Nancy Stephenson has qualified for her seat as probate judge and incumbent Victoria Darrisaw has qualified to run again for state court judge.

In state races, Muarlean Edwards has qualified to run against incumbent Darrel Ealum in the Georgia House 153 race, and James Williams has qualified to run in House 151 against longtime incumbent Gerald Greene.

House 152 incumbent Ed Rynders has qualified as has Greg Kirk Senate District 13, who picked up an opponent Tuesday in Ruenett Melton of Tifton.

House 154 incumbent Winfred Dukes and Senate 12 incumbent Freddie Powell Sims have yet to qualify.

Albany attorney Jimmie Brown has qualified to run for Southwestern Judicial Superior court judge to replace the retiring George Peagler. Brown will face Americus attorney Kevin Kwashnak and Albany attorney Lewis Lamb.

“It is critical that we have qualified, fair, and level-headed but firm judges to serve,” Brown said. “I would like to be a positive judicial leader in that effort.”

Dougherty County Judicial Circuit Deputy District Chief Assistant D.A. Heather Lanier and Chief Assistant D.A. for the South Georgia Judicial Circuit Mike Bankston picked up more competition for the seat of retiring South Georgia Circuit Superior Court Judge A. Wallace Cato. Bainbridge attorney Ryan Cleveland also qualified to join the race.

Qualifying for county and state offices ends at noon on Friday.