HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Houston County school board candidate is back on the ballot just 48 hours after the county board of elections disqualified him.
Tuesday, the board of elections told Clyde Jackson he couldn't run because of his wife's job with the school district. Thursday, the board changed course.
"Thank God," Traci Jackson said, hugging a friend after her husband was reinstated.
There were hugs and happy chatter all around after the decision.
"We had faith. Our church family was here. My family was here. So, when you've got God, family," Clyde Jackson said.
"Friends, and community," Traci Jackson interjected.
"Yes, that's all we need," Clyde Jackson said.
The board of elections disqualified Jackson Tuesday because they said Traci Jackson was an administrator. According to Georgia law, that means Clyde Jackson would not be able to hold school board office. Traci Jackson says she works part-time for the school district helping develop teachers, and that her job does not involve any administrative work.
Thursday, Houston County Attorney Tom Hall urged the elections board to change their decision from earlier in the week.
"There was a phone call from somebody at the board of education office that raised this issue by phone the day qualifying ended," he explained. "The board of education chose not to put that objection in writing as required by law and requested by Debra Presswood."
He added the school board sent documents backing up the case an hour before the board of elections met, but Hall said he didn't need to look at them, since they were submitted well after the deadline. He says challenges must be submitted in writing within two weeks of the end of the qualifying period.
The Jacksons say they never should have been in this position, but are grateful for the outcome. If Clyde Jackson does win the runoff, they say they're ready for any challenges.
"We have a strong family," Clyde Jackson said. "A strong community," Traci Jackson added.
"We have a strong faith in our God who will take care of us. So, bring it on. We're ready," Clyde Jackson said.
The Jacksons say they'll hit the campaign trail Friday morning, knocking on doors and asking for votes. They say they're trying to make up for lost time earlier in the week.
After the primary, Jackson trailed challenger Angel Bowen Brown by about 12%.