Wood not running for re-election; Deal picks up opposition

GAINESVILLE - Qualifying ended Friday with candidates for all but five Hall County offices without any opposition... and Clerk of Courts Dwight Wood did not qualify to seek another term.

Wood has been under fire for keeping fees collected by his office for processing passports.

Three candidates hope to succeed him: his former Chief Deputy, Charles Baker; former sheriff Bob Vass; and CPA Jennifer Gibbs.

Sheriff Steve Cronic and County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver are among those incumbents with no opposition.

Last day qualifiers included coroner Marion Merck and surveyor Chris Patton.

All qualified as Republicans.

Only two Democrats will be on the ballot for the July primaries in Hall County: County Commissioner Deborah Mack and challenger Ashley Bell.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Gainesville, picked up last-minute opposition in the form of a northwest Georgia educator. Jeff Scott will run unopposed in the Democratic Primary for the post Deal has held since 1992. Deal will also face no opposition in his primary.

There were no new qualifiers Friday for any of the state legislative or District Attorney offices in the immediate Gainesville area.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR HALL COUNTY OFFICES

Steve Cronic* - Sheriff

Larry Baldwin* - Solicitor General

Tom Oliver* - Commissioner Chairman

Craig Herrington* - School Board Post 3

Nath Morris* - School Board Post 4

Margaret Gregory* - Magistrate Judge

Marion Merck* - Coroner

Chris Patton* - Surveyor

Billy Powell* and Chris Masters - County Commission Post 2

Keith Echols* and J.C. Smith - Tax Commissioner

Patti Cornett* and Dan Sammons - Probate Judge

Bob Vass and Jennifer Gibbs and Charles Baker - Clerk of Courts

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR HALL COUNTY OFFICES

Deborah Mack* and Ashley Bell - County Commission Post 4

The qualifying for Judge of the Superior Court, the posts now held by Kathelene Gosselin and Bonnie C. Oliver, will be held later this year. Those are non-partisan positions and they will not be on the primary ballots in July but will be voted on in November in the General Election.

* Denotes incumbent

To check on qualifying for U.S. Representative, the state Legislature , statewide offices and District Attorney offices, go to the Georgia Secretary of State's Web site: http://www.sos.georgia.gov