Dougherty County Democrats to hold Saturday candidate’s forum

ALBANY – The Dougherty County Democratic Party is looking to inform voters and build enthusiasm for participating in the 2024 election season with the first of three candidate forums, the first to be held on Saturday.

The forum comes ahead of the May 21 general primary and nonpartisan election and will feature Democratic candidates for Dougherty County sheriff, Georgia House District 153 and the nonpartisan district attorney’s race.

The forum will start at 5 p.m. at the Albany High School cafeteria, 801 W. Residence Ave.,  and is scheduled to last two hours to give candidates the opportunity to make their case and allow for some questions from the audience.

“This is a very significant year, 2024, with the presidential race and on down the ballot,” Dougherty County Democratic Party Chair Joyce Barlow said. “We’re hoping for a big turnout.”

While the county party is looking to drive voters to the polls, Barlow also said that educating voters is a key goal for the busy election year.

The Saturday forum will feature candidates for sheriff Terron Hayes, currently the department’s chief deputy, and current Albany State University Capt. Keithen Hall; House District candidates David Sampson, the incumbent, and Democratic challengers Joshua Anthony and Tracy Taylor. District Attorney incumbent Greg Edwards and challenger Elizabeth Gibson are running in a nonpartisan contest.

Other Democratic candidates who are in competitive races on the May 21 ballot are District 5 Dougherty County School Board incumbent James Bush and Wanda Mallard and Dougherty County Commission incumbent Gloria Gaines and Thomia Tonya Thomas.

Other local nonpartisan races include candidates for Chief Superior Court Judge, current Magistrate Court Judge Victoria Johnson and Assistant Attorney General Michael Tabarrok.

Breaking the forums into three sessions will allow potential voters not to be overwhelmed by having too many candidates presented at one time, Barlow said.

“We felt like having three contested races in a two-hour time frame was enough,” she said. “We wanted to cover three competitive races and have some impact, plus time for a few questions.

“It’s very valuable to come out, hear the candidates for themselves. We’re excited and want people to turn out, show up, listen, learn and share, and vote.”

The Democratic Party in Dougherty County also is looking to boost voter turnout for the fall.

“We’re working toward having more visibility, incorporating our young people and (stressing) your vote does matter and does make a difference,” Barlow said.

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