Forum Gives Walton County Residents Chance to Learn About Candidates

Walton County residents got the opportunity to size up the candidates seeking their votes in several key area races at a forum at the Historic Courthouse in Monroe on July 14. Races covered included county Board of Commissions, Board of Education, tax commissioner and coroner races, Walton County Probate Court  and Superior Court judge as well as state and U.S. Congressional races relevant to local residents.

In most of the races, there was a common theme with incumbents touting their experience, already established relationships and a wish to finish what they had started. Challengers asked for a chance to show their vision and the opportunity to plot a different course.

For the most part, the discussion was civil and, except for the occasional subtle suggestions, there was very little negative campaigning - at least not during the forum. That couldn’t be said, however, for the U.S. Congressional District 10 race. Challenger Stephen Simpson went after incumbent Congressman Paul Broun hard enough to prompt even the audience to say Broun should be given the chance to respond. Moderators explained it was not a debate, but a question and answer session. Broun was offered the opportunity to use his 1-minute closing statement to answer accusations from Simpson about Broun's hospital privileges. Broun demanded the right to answer the accusations when they were made, but in the end chose not to use his closing statement to do so.

The following were the candidates and the positions for which they are running.

Walton County Commission Chairman

• Kevin Little (I)
• Gerald Atha

Walton County Commission District 2

• Chuck Bagley (I)
• Terry Mitchell

Walton County Commission District 3

• Vickie Gasawy (I)
• Timmy Shelnutt

Walton County Probate Court Judge

• Lori Duff
• Bruce Wright

Superior Court Judge

• John Ott (I)
• Stephanie Lindsey

Tax Commissioner

• Derry Boyd
• Robert Hawk

Coroner

• Joseph Page (I)
• Ted Bailey
• Richard Jenkins

Walton County Board of Education

District 3

• Christine Lusk (I)
• Diane Turner

District 6

• Gwen Cantrell
• Katherine Pete

U.S. Congressional District 10 of Georgia

• Paul Broun (I)
• Stephen Simpson

Georgia House of Representatives District 114

• Tom Kirby (I)
• Rod Upton

Georgia Senate District 25

• Johnny Grant (I)
• Darrell Black
• Burt Jones
• Robert Kent