Dougherty County incumbents to seek re-election

ALBANY — With rumors circulating but no firm commitment yet from any would-be challengers, the incumbents holding three Dougherty County Commission seats, the county’s sheriff and the county coroner all confirmed this week that they plan to qualify for re-election next week.

The County Commission’s districts 1, 3 and 5 seats are up for re-election, and the men currently holding those seats — Lamar Hudgins, Clinton Johnson and Harry James, respectively — all committed to re-upping for another four-year term.

“The people I represent keep saying ‘If you’re crazy enough to do it, we guess we’ll keep you,’” Hudgins, the longest-serving elected official in the community, joked. “I really think this board is focused on doing what’s best for the community, not so much on personal agendas. We’re coming off a good retreat, and there’s just a great deal of mutual respect among the members of the commission.”

Hudgins served for 2 1/2 years on the Albany City Commission before stepping down for an unsuccessful run at the mayor’s office. He ran successfully for the County Commission in 1992 and has served six terms on that board, currently finishing his 24th year as a commissioner.

“I’ve been fortunate,” Hudgins said. “But I believe the people in District 1 know that my interests lie in making our community better.”

Johnson is in the final year of his first four-year term on the commission. He said his first term was an excellent learning experience.

“As you serve on the board, you learn how things work,” Johnson said. “Then you work within those parameters. I feel like I’ve had a positive impact on our community, and I want to continue to serve so that I can work to make east Albany and our downtown district stronger.”

James is completing his second year on the commission, having earned the District 5 seat through a special election called when former commissioner Gloria Gaines stepped down to make an unsuccessful run for the commission chairmanship. He said he’s made every effort to help the citizens of his district.

“I came onto the board after the first budget was pretty much completed, but I feel like I’ve had an impact on the latest budget,” James said. “I ran for office on a platform to improve working conditions for our employees, and I was proud that we were able to give them a raise in the current budget. But we’re not going to stop there. We’re going to continue to work for them.

“I’ve tried to push the envelope for programs that help weatherize some of the older houses in the unincorporated part of the county, and I’ve worked with environmental health to make sure that wells that may have been contaminated in the past are tested. It’s been about serving the needs of the citizens.”

Sheriff Kevin Sproul told the Dougherty County Commission Monday that he planned to qualify for re-election, and coroner Michael Fowler said Thursday he will seek another term in office.

Qualifying for the May 24 primaries will start at 9 a.m. Monday and conclude at noon Friday. Republicans will qualify Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at The Coach House at 1308 Dawson Road. Democrats will qualify Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the offices of Dukes, Edwards and Dukes at 407 S. Slappey Blvd.