The Republican and Democratic primaries have come and gone, setting the stage for some contested races in the August General Election. To some, the outcome of the primaries were right in line with how they may have voted, but to others there seemed to have been some surprises in the voting totals.

This year’s primary elections were like no other in DeKalb County history, as there were primaries for both Republican and Democratic parties. In the past, only the Democrats boasted enough candidates to justify a primary, but times have changed and Republicans have gained ground.

In the year 2000, there was only one Republican in DeKalb County that held a county seat, Road Supervisor, with all other higher county positions firmly in the hands of Democrats. Even in State government Democrats were the dominate power, a power which the party had held since before the War Between the States.

In those days, if a person wanted to have a say as to who would be the County Executive, now County Mayor, or who might serve as DeKalb Court Clerk, the Democratic primary was the only election that mattered. Most, if not all, of the candidates would be running in the Democratic Primary with little or no opposition in the August election. If you wanted your voice heard, that was the only game in town.

As the 21st century emerged all that began to slowly change. More and more candidates were turning to the Republican Party. Democrats would fight it out in their primary, to face a chosen Republican candidate in the general election.

Eventually, the Democrats lost control of the State government, and now Republicans hold a super majority, something that would have been unheard of in your grandfather’s day.

With so many Republicans on the ballot, this year it was decided that the Republican Party would also hold its own primary to decide who would be on the ballot in August. With Republican candidates vying for contested positions such as County Mayor, Sheriff, and General Sessions Judge, it was the only way to give voters a true choice as to who they wanted in those seats. But with the decision, came some confusion amongst some voters, which may have lead some candidate getting more or fewer votes than they otherwise may have received.

Voters had to choose which primary they wished to vote in. While some voters might strictly vote along party lines, many other voters wished to vote for the person themselves. One voter may have wished to have voted for a Democratic County Mayor candidate, but also a Republican judge candidate. During the primaries, you had to choose a party. This may have led to a skewing of the vote on one side or the other.

Republicans nearly out voted Democrats in the primaries two to one. This may have been because there were more contested races on the Republican side that the Democratic side. Republicans had contested races for Sheriff, County Mayor, General Sessions Judge, plus several County Commissioner races. The Democrats had County Mayor and General Sessions Judge, and one Commissioner race. Many local voters had to pick which race was more important to them.

We will have to see if the party line vote breaks once voters are allowed to vote for either party in the August election where Republican and Democratic candidates go head to head. In that race, Republican Matt Adcock will be facing Democrat Mike Foster for County Mayor, while GOP candidate Brandon Cox will face Tecia Puckett Pryor is in the race on the Democratic side. Two candidates who were unopposed in their primaries will face each other for Road Supervisor, GOP incumbent Danny Hale, and Democrat Wayne Shehane. Republican Daniel Seber will also face Democrat Shelby Reeder for Jeff McMillen’s Register of Deeds seat after his retirement. There will also be several County Commissioner seats contested in the election.

Will voters cross party lines during the election, or will Republicans maintain the two to one majority at the polls?