Bell qualifies for state House race

ATLANTA - A third person has qualified to run for the state House seat now held by Carl Rogers of Gainesville.

23-year-old Ashely Bell, who was elected president of the College Democrats of America two years ago, is a 1998 graduate of Gainesville High School. Bell has qualified to run in the Democratic Primary.

Rogers, who recently switched to the Republican Party, is seeking re-election and has picked up opposition in the GOP Primary from former state Representative Clint Smith.

When qualifying closed at noon Friday, Rogers was the only Hall County state legislator who had drawn opposition this year.

Senator Casey Cagle and Representatives James Mills and Stacey Reece all qualified for re-election and without opposition.

In neighboring districts, however, a number of races drew several candidates, including open races for Senate District 50 and Senate District 51.

According to the Secretary of State's office, the candidates for the District 50 seat are: Bob Stowe, Democrat, Toccoa, and Republicans Chan Caudell of Cornelia, Butch Darnell of Rabun Gap, and Nancy Schaefer of Turnerville.

Candidates for the District 51 post are: Bobby Adams, Democrat, Cleveland; Republicans John T. Callaham, Cleveland; Chip Pearson, Dawsonville; and, Ben Whitaker, East Ellijay; and, Mike Crane, Southern Party, Morganton.

Congressman Nathan Deal of Gainesville qualified to seek another term and he will have no opposition this year.

At the judicial level in Hall County, two Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court judges whose terms expire this year qualified for re-election without oppositon: Kathlene Gosselin and Bonnie Oliver.

For a complete list of candidates in the area and statewide, go to the Secretary of State's Web site. (See link below.)