The Hartwell Sun will host a political forum for all candidates in the City of Hartwell’s general municipal election Thursday, Sept. 25 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hart County Adult Learning Center located at 110 Benson St.
The public is invited to attend the forum and is encouraged to submit questions for the candidates in the contested races.
Candidates in the contested races include incumbent Tray Hicks and Kay Ankerich for Hicks’ seat and Jerry McHan, Randy Clark and Stephen “Doc” Ayers for the seat currently held by Dan Leard.
While running uncontested, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Seth Baughman, who was the lone qualifier for the seat currently held by Patrick Guarnella, were invited to attend the forum. Uncontested incumbents Dee Schwarzmann, Post 2, and Matthew Butler, Post 3, in the Town of Bowersville, were also invited.
Please submit questions to editor@thehartwellsun.com by Thursday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. All submitted questions will be compiled and condensed by The Sun staff. Staff members will then ask the candidates questions during the forum. No questions from the public will be taken during the forum.
Candidates in the non-contested races will also be given an allotted time to speak.
The forum will be reported on in the Oct. 2 edition of The Sun.
Voter registration, voting times
Voter registration is open through Oct. 6. Registration can be done online at mvp.sos.ga.gov or in person at the Hart County Board of Elections and Registration.
Early voting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14 to Saturday, Oct. 18, Monday, Oct. 20 to Saturday, Oct. 25 and Monday, Oct. 27 to Friday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the respective precincts.
The statewide special election for Public Service Commissioner in districts 2 and 3 is scheduled alongside the municipal elections for Nov. 4. Republican Commissioner Tim Echols is seeking reelection in District 2 against Democratic challenger Alicia Johnson. District 2, which includes Hart County, stretches from Atlanta’s eastern and southeastern suburbs to Savannah.
Republican Commissioner Fitz Johnson will face Democrat Peter Hubbard for PSC District 3, which covers Fulton, Clayton and DeKalb counties.