Qualifying for the November 4 municipal elections in Habersham County closed Friday, Aug. 22, setting the stage for contested and uncontested races across several towns and cities.
Alto
In Alto, two candidates are vying for Council Post 1. Incumbent P.J. Huggins faces challenger John Smith. Incumbent Allen Fox qualified without opposition for Post 3, while incumbent Debbie Turner is unopposed for Post 5.
Baldwin
In Baldwin, incumbent Mayor Stephanie Almagno chose not to seek reelection. Council member Alice Venter is running to succeed her against challenger Douglas Faust.
Meanwhile, former Baldwin Mayor Joe Elam is seeking a return to office. He and fellow candidate James Wiese are running for the Council Post 4 seat. For Council Post 5, Mike Tope is running unopposed.
Clarkesville
Clarkesville City Councilman Franklin Brown is now the city’s presumptive mayor, after he was the only one to qualify to run for the post currently held by Barrie Aycock. Brown currently holds the Post 4 seat on the city council.
Council Post 1 incumbent Angelia Kiker is running unopposed for reelection. Meanwhile, the race for Council Post 4 drew three contenders — Rick Coulon, Leigh Johnston, and Liz Treadwell.
Local contractor and political newcomer Blake Rainwater was the only candidate to qualify for the Post 5 Clarkesville City Council seat currently held by Rick Wood. Wood is not seeking reelection. He was elected in February 2023 to fill the unexpired term of Steven Ward, who passed away.
Cornelia
In Cornelia, no one qualified for the Commission Ward 2 seat, leaving it temporarily vacant. Qualifying will reopen August 25–26 at the Habersham County Elections Office in Cornelia.
The Ward 3 seat will see incumbent Don Bagwell return without opposition.
Demorest
It looks as though Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness is set to assume another term. Harkness qualified to run without opposition. For the city council, incumbents Shawn Allen and Andrew Ferguson will face challengers Patti Davis and Jim Welborn.
Mount Airy
In Mount Airy, Adam Tullis is running for mayor. Sam Wilbanks qualified for the special election to fill Tullis’ unexpired term.
Mt. Airy Town Council incumbents Patrick Ledford and Ken Moore are both seeking reelection. They are running unopposed.
List of qualifiers
Town of Alto
Council Post 1:
P.J. Huggins (incumbent)
John Smith
Council Post 3:
Allen Fox (incumbent)
Council Post 5:
Debbie Turner (incumbent)
City of Baldwin
Mayor:
Alice Lindsay Venter
Douglas S. Faust
Council Post 4:
Joe Elam
James A. Wiese
Council Post 5:
Mike Tope
City of Clarkesville
Mayor:
Franklin Brown
Council Post 1:
Angelia S. Kiker (incumbent)
Council Post 4:
Rick Coulon
Leigh Johnston
Liz Treadwell
Council Post 5:
Blake Van Rainwater
City of Cornelia
Commission Ward 2:
No one qualified for the City of Cornelia Commission Ward 2 Seat. Qualifying will re-open on Monday, August 25, and Tuesday, August 26. Eligible candidates may qualify from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Commission Ward 3:
Don Bagwell (incumbent)
City of Demorest
Mayor:
Jerry Harkness (incumbent)
Council Member:
Shawn Allen (incumbent)
Patti Davis
Andrew Ferguson (incumbent)
Jim Welborn
Town of Mount Airy
Mayor:
Adam Tullis
Council Member:
Patrick Ledford (incumbent)
Council Member:
Ken Moore (incumbent)
Town of Mount Airy Special Election – Council Member
(to fill the unexpired term of Adam Tullis, who is running for mayor)
Sam Wilbanks
