Who is really serious about running for the state Senate seat from District 47? Will Rep. Tommy Benton have any opposition for re-election from District 31? How about commissioners Dwain Smith and Bruce Yates?
Those questions will be answered starting Monday as qualifying for the July 20 Republican and Democratic primaries begins.
Qualifying starts at 9 a.m. Monday and lasts through Friday at noon.
The voter registration deadline for the July primaries is June 21. The deadline for the November elections is Oct. 4.
Here’s a rundown of what’s on the ballot this year:
•Two seats on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners are up for grabs — those currently held by Bruce Yates, District 3; and Dwain Smith, District 4.
•Three Jackson County Board of Education seats must be filled — those currently held by Tim Brooks, District 2; Kathy Wilbanks, District 3; and Jill McEver Elliott, District 5.
•Both of Jackson County’s state House of Representative seats are up for election: District 31, currently held by Tommy Benton (R); and District 30, held by Tom McCall (R). The Senate District 47 seat is also up for grabs. Incumbent Ralph Hudgens (R) is running for state insurance commissioner.
•At the state level, voters will decide elections for both governor and lt. governor this year. Other state elections include secretary of state, attorney general, state school superintendent, state agriculture commissioner, state insurance commissioner and state labor commissioner.
•U.S. senator Johnny Isakson is up for re-election as is District 10 U.S. Congressman Paul Broun.
Local candidates can qualify with the Jackson County Republican Party at 20 Railroad Street, Jefferson, in the Ken Martin Construction building, according to Ron Johnson, chairman of the Jackson County GOP.
Democratic candidates for those same offices can qualify at the Jefferson law office of Walter Harvey at 122 Washington Street.
