Jones County voters will have the opportunity to meet and question local candidates in the upcoming primary election during a candidates’ forum sponsored by the Gray/Jones County Chamber of Commerce, Jones County Republican Party and The Jones County News.
The Jones County Candidates’ Forum is scheduled April 23 and will be held at Butler Hall in Downtown Gray. A Meet the Candidates reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the forum will begin at 7 p.m.
The forum will be moderated by Billy Mathews.
The May 21 primary and non-partisan election will determine who will represent Jones County Commission Districts 2 and 3, who will serve as Jones County’s coroner and the representative for Board of Education District 2.
All eight candidates have confirmed that they will attend the forum. Audience members will have the opportunity to submit written questions before and throughout the event.
District 2 Commissioner John Wood is being challenged by Micah Harley, and District 3 Commissioner Wendy Vaughn is being challenged by Dan Howard. All four of the commission candidates registered to run as Republicans.
Jones County Coroner Matt Jarrett is challenged by Steve Johnson, and both candidates also registered as Republicans.
Neither of the two commissioner nor coroner candidates have Democratic opposition, which means the winners of the primary will decide who fills the offices for the next four years.
The incumbent representative for Board of Education District 2, Alfred Pitts, made the decision not to run for re-election. Two candidates qualified to run for the post, Rice Adams and Brady Skinner. The Board of Education position is non-partisan, and May 21 election will determine who will represent the district for the next term.
Although the winners are determined May 21, their new terms will not begin until Jan. 1, 2025.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Weidner and District 1 Commissioner Sam Kitchens qualified for another term but are not facing opposition.
District 4 Commissioner Daylon Martin, who qualified as a Democrat, is not facing opposition in the May 21 primary, but is challenged in the Nov. 5 General Election by Republican Candidate Alton West. Martin and West are not included in the April 23 forum.
Advanced voting will take place April 29 through May 17 at the Jones County Elections Office, located in the Government Center, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last day to register to vote in the May 21 election is April 22.
The date for the General Election is Nov. 5, with Advanced Voting scheduled Oct. 15 to Nov. 1. The final day to register for the General Election is Oct. 7.
For answers to questions about the April 23 candidate forum, call the Chamber Office, 478-986-1123, or the Jones County News, 478-986-3929.
Election questions should be directed to the Elections Office at 478-986-3222.
