Voters who take to the polls Thursday could be making history. Only one incumbent county commissioner is guaranteed a return to office as DeKalb County looks at what could be a historic turnover in its leadership.
Polls open around the county at 8 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2 for those who have not taken advantage of the early voting option.
At best, if all incumbents who remain in the race win, there will be only six incumbents returning meaning at bare minimum there will be 58 percent turnover on the 14-member council. The Democratic primary and attrition left the sixth district as the only district where there must be at least one incumbent survive as Betty Jean Atnip and Jeff Barnes are running in a three-way race, facing Republican nominee Matt Adcock. Two candidates are elected from each district meaning one or both could be returned to the commission.
Along with potential for an historic turnover, tomorrow’s election holds another history-making fact as for the first time in history, all seven districts are being contested by a Republican candidate. Jerry D. Adcock holds the distinction of being the only incumbent Republican commissioner as he defends his spot in the fifth district against Democrats Lloyd Emmons and incumbent Anita Puckett and Independent William Rutherford.
There are three districts in which there is a guarantee of two new commissioners. In the second, Republican Sabrina Farler is taking on Democrats Nora Harvey and Myron Rhody. In the third, Republican Renee Steff and taking on Democrats Bobby G. Johnson and Jenny Trapp. And, in the fourth, Republican Greg Matthews is taking on Janice Fish-Stewart and Scott Little.
In the seventh district incumbent Democrat Larry Summers is defending against Democrat Beth Pafford and Republican Bruce Malone. He needs to only beat one of them to retain. The same is true of Julie Williams Young in the first where she is taking on fellow Democrat Dennis Slager and Republican Tom Chandler.
Not to be lost in the historic battle for the county commissioner are several county-wide races including that of sheriff where incumbent Patrick Ray is taking on Michael Jay Agee and Circuit Court Clerk where newcomers Susan Martin and Nicole Wright are doing battle. Meanwhile, incumbent county mayor Tim Stribling, off a seven-vote win in the Democratic Primary is defending against Randy Paris. Road Supervisor is also open with Danny Hale and Jimmy Sprague vying for the spot. In the city, a three-way race for Smithville mayor heated up this past week when incumbent Jimmy Poss was indicted on theft charges. He is facing Alderman Josh Miller and Curtis Rust.
Voters are advised to bring a government-issue picture identification when they come to vote, that most often being a driver license.