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Telfair sheriff qualifies to run for Georgia House seat

Larry Walker, Heath Clark and David Lucas all have challengers, but most Central Georgia legislators will get a free ride to re-election

TELFAIR COUNTY, Ga. — A longtime Central Georgia sheriff wants to move to the state Capitol and there will be races for several other General Assembly seats.

But most of the area's Statehouse delegation will get free rides to another term in Atlanta.

Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson and businessman Robert Pruitt qualified this week to run in  House District 149. Both men are Republicans. They'll face off in a May 19 party primary.

Incumbent Jimmy Pruett isn't running again.

The district includes Dodge, Telfair, and Wheeler counties and part of Laurens County.

Steverson told 13WMAZ that he can't run for another term as sheriff due to term limits. He says he doesn't need to resign because the state representative term wouldn't start until he leaves office as sheriff this year.

Some of the other Assembly races coming up this spring and fall:

SENATE DISTRICT 13

Four people have qualified to replace Sen. Greg Kirk, who died last year.

They are Republicans Spud Bowen, a business owner, and Carden Summers, who is self-employed; and Democrats Mary Egler, who is semi-retired, and Ruenett Melton, who is retired.

The two parties will pick nominees in the May 19 primaries, and the winners face off in November.

The district includes Dodge, Wilcox and Dooly counties.

SENATE DISTRICT 15

A fellow Democrat is challenging incumbent Ed Harbison of Columbus.

He is Columbus attorney Teddy Reese.

The district includes Taylor and Macon counties.

SENATE DISTRICT 20

Perry Republican Larry Walker III has two challengers: Republican Franklin Wetmore of Kathleen, who lists his occupation as "military," and Julius Newberry Johnson, who says he's a CEO.

The district includes Pulaski, Bleckley, Laurens and part of Houston County.

SENATE DISTRICT 23

Three people are running to replace Jesse Stone, whose district includes Johnson County.

They are Republicans Trey Allen, a business consultant and Max Burns, a retired educator; and Democrat Ceretta Smith, an educator.

SENATE DISTRICT 25

Macon lawyer Veronica Brinson, a Democrat, qualified to run against incumbent Burt Jones, a Republican. The district includes Baldwin, Putnam, part of Jones, part of Bibb counties..

SENATE DISTRICT 26

Verbin Weaver, an independent contractor, shifted his focus from the mayor's race to the state Senate and will challenge David Lucas.

Both men are Democrats.

Weaver took out papers last year to run for mayor, but changed his mind.

He told 13WMAZ that, based on his research, he believes he's the first native American to qualify for a state elected position.

HOUSE DISTRICT 128

Danny Thomas Jr., a consultant, is challenging incumbent Mack Jackson of Sandersville.

Both men are Democrats.

The district includes Hancock, Washington and part of Johnson County.

HOUSE DISTRICT 129

Business owner Sharonda Bell, a Democrat, is challenging incumbent Susan Holmes, a Republican from Monticello.

The district includes parts of Jones and Monroe counties.

HOUSE DISTRICT 145

State Rep. Rick Williams, a Republican from Milledgeville has two challengesr: Quintin Howell, who's a business owner, and Nincoe Bird, who's retired. They are both Democrats.

The district includes Baldwin and part of Putnam county.

HOUSE DISTRICT 144

Former Gordon Mayor Mary Whipple Lue, a Democrat, qualified to run against Republican Danny Mathis, who was elected in 2018. The district includes Twiggs, Wilkinson, Bleckley, part of Jones, Bibb, Houston and Laurens counties. 

HOUSE DISTRICT 147

State Rep. Health Clark, a Warner Robins Republican, has two challengers.

They are Republican Miranda Britt, a title clerk, and Stephen Baughier, a Democrat and an accountant.

The district covers part of Houston County.

HOUSE DISTRICT 148

Regina Awung, a physicians assistant, is challenging incumbent Noel Williams.

She's a Democrat; he is a Republican from Cordele. The district includes Wilcox, Pulaski, Crisp and part of Houston County.

UNOPPOSED

These legislators are unopposed for re-election:

John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, Senate District 18, Monroe, Crawford, Peach, part of Bibb, part of Houston.

Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, Senate District 19, Treutlen, Wheeler, Wilcox. 

Trey Rhodes, R-Greensboro, House District 120, Putnam.

Patty Bentley, D-Reynolds, House District 139. Taylor, Macon and Dooly and part of Peach County.

Robert Dickey, R-Musella., House District 140. Crawford, parts of Monroe, Bibb. 

Dale Washburn,  R-Macon, House District 141. parts of Bibb and Monroe. 

Mariam Paris, D-Macon, House District 142. part of Bibb. 

James Beverly, D-Macon, House District 143. part of Bibb.

Shaw Blackmon, R-Bonaire, House District 146. part of Houston

Matt Hatchett, R-Dublin, House District 150. Treutlen, part of Johnson, part of Laurens. 

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