UNDATED - State Rep. Amos Amerson, R-Dahlonega, qualified Thursday to seek another term in the Georgia General Assembly.<br />
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Lumpkin County Commission Chairman Steve Gooch, also a Republican, qualified Wednesday to run for the post. <br />
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Also qualifying on Thursday was Mark Reed of Baldwin, who signed up for the post in the state House of Representatives being vacated by Ben Bridges, R-Cleveland. Reed becomes the second person to qualify for the post. The other candidate is Rick Austin of Demorest.<br />
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In Gainesville, Charles Baker, retired Chief Deputy Clerk of Courts in Hall County, joined the race for the top job as J.C. Smith bowed out and immediately qualified to run for Tax Commissioner. Incumbent Tax Commissioner Keith Echols is the only other candidate right now for that post. <br />
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With Smith pulling out of the Clerk of Courts race that leaves Baker, Jennifer Gibbs and Bob Vass in the hunt. There is still no word from incumbent Dwight Wood on whether he plans to run again, but time is running out. Qualifying for all races in the Georgia primaries closes at noon Friday.
