Now, for round two.
Madison County will hold its Republican Primary runoff elections Tuesday, with incumbent sheriff Kip Thomas facing a challenge from former sheriff Clayton Lowe and Julie Phillips and John Sartain facing off for the county coroner’s post.
Doug Collins and Martha Zoller are also vying for a chance to face Democrat Jody Cooley in November in the race for Georgia’s District 9 seat for the U.S. House of Representatives. Collins received 2,131 votes in Madison County July 31, while Zoller finished with 1,730 (32.3 percent).
The winner of the Thomas/Lowe race will face Democrat Brent Zellner in the November general election, while the victor in the Phillips/Sartain runoff will be the county’s new coroner in 2013, since no Democrat qualified for the race.
Thomas received 2,626 votes (43.1 percent) in the Republican primary July 31, while Lowe garnered 2,393 votes (39.26). Brenan Baird was eliminated from the race, gathering 1,077 votes (17.7 percent). Last week, Baird endorsed Lowe (see related story).
A candidate must receive over 50 percent of the votes to win.
In the four-person coroner’s race, Phillips received the most votes July 31, with 2,110 (36.7 percent). Sartain received 1,663 votes (28.91 percent).
In the sheriff’s race, Thomas says he hopes voters can look beyond all the rhetoric and ugliness associated with the hotly contested election and pay attention instead to what he has implemented over the past four years compared to what Lowe did in the previous 12.
He noted that the office has secured over $500,000 in grants for Madison County. He said he’s instituted an inmate work program that has constructed buildings at the new soccer complex and Mize Park at a low cost. He said he’s started firearms classes for women and junior deputy and explorers’ programs for youth.
He has also noted that he’s placed resource officers at both the county’s high school and middle school to help improve school discipline.
“I’m running for Madison County and I want people to look at what we’ve done over the past four years,” said Thomas. “You hear all this negative stuff and people lose sight of what’s important.”
Lowe, 49, pointed to his 29-year career in law enforcement and notes that he’s handled pretty much every facet of the business, such as drug enforcement, investigations, property crime and theft. Lowe chuckled, noting that he started in law enforcement before he was old enough to buy bullets.
“I’m running because I have a strong desire and a passion to serve the citizens and do the right thing,” said Lowe. “I think I’m the most qualified. And I’m offering to do the job and bring that experience to the people of Madison County. If the people of Madison County see fit to elect me, that’s what I’ll do. I appreciate your support and I hope it’s a good turnout.”
In the coroner’s race, Phillips says her two and a half years serving as a deputy coroner qualify her to run the coroner’s office.
“I think the two and a half years of experience I’ve had has really allowed me to develop a very good working relationship with our first responders, our volunteer fire department, law enforcement, funeral homes, our hazmat (hazardous materials) team and the crime lab in Decatur,” said Phillips. “I’m very humbled and it (being coroner) would allow me the opportunity to continue to serve our community. The experience and the compassion I have. I believe that makes me qualified to serve as coroner. I am blessed, honored and humbled by the support in the primaries and encourage everyone to get back out there and vote again on Aug. 21. I appreciate everyone’s love and support and prayers.”
Sartain began his public safety career in 1991 as a Colbert volunteer firefighter and a Madison County First Responder. He began working as a full-time paramedic in 1993.
Sartain said he’s “developed investigative skills as well as good relationships with the agencies that the coroner’s office works with” over the years.
“I’m hoping that my years of experience and education in public safety, and my dedication to Madison County, will help me come out on top,” said Sartain. “I believe I’m qualified for it.”
Madison County citizens who voted in the Democratic primary cannot participate in the three Republican runoffs Aug. 21. However, anyone who voted on the Republican ballot may participate. Likewise, any registered voter who did not vote in the primaries can participate in the runoff.
Anyone with questions about the runoff elections is encouraged to call the registrar’s office at 706-795-6335.
