ELLIJAY, Ga. – This week marks qualifying for the coming 2018 elections in Gilmer County.

This year’s elections include the county Commission Chairman, Post 2 Commissioner, and Post 4 and Post 5 of the Board of Education.

Each day, FetchYourNews will be taking note of those qualifying for the election and the position for which they will be running.

As of Thursday, March 8, those who have qualified are as follows:

Commission Chairman

Charlie Paris has qualified to run again for Gilmer County Commission Chairman under the Republican Party. He is the current incumbent in this position. According to Paris, this is the first time since leaving the sole commissioner government that a chairman has run unopposed and could possibly be the first time a chairman will fulfill two full terms.

When asked if it was better to run against an opponent and win or to have the county think your doing a good job and have no opposition, Chairman Paris stated it was definitely better to have the county believe in him for another term.

Charlie Paris – Incumbent

Post 2 Commissioner

Post 2 Commissioner will not see the incumbent Travis Crouch running for the position but instead will see four candidates running for the open seat.

Danny Hall has qualified for Post 2 Commissioner under the Republican Party.

Danny Hall

Jerry Tuso  has qualified for Post 2 Commissioner under the Republican Party. Since Tuso has been chairman of Republican Party, a member of the party told FetchYourNews that his qualification requires resignation from his party office.

Jerry Tuso

Karleen Ferguson has qualified for Post 2 Commissioner under the Republican Party.

Karleen Ferguson

Woody Janssen has qualified for Post 2 Commissioner under the Republican Party.

Woody Janssen

Board of Education

Post 4 and Post 5 seats on the Board of Education are non-partisan positions according to our Probate Court.

Ronald Watkins has qualified for the Post 5 seat on the Board of Education. He is the current incumbent in this position.

Ronald Watkins – Post 5 Incumbent

Michael Bramlett has qualified for the Post 4 seat on the Board of Education. He is the current incumbent in this position.

Michael Bramlett