Meet the candidates
The following people announced in the past week that they would run for Dawson County Clerk of Superior Court:
Lisa Henson
Longtime Dawson County resident Lisa Henson, 45, made her announcement Friday.
With more than three decades of experience in county government, Henson most recently served as the county’s director of parks and recreation.
“I have a great desire to continue my service to the people of Dawson County as clerk of court,” said Henson, who began her public service career in law enforcement.
Henson, who previously served as commander for the Dawson and Forsyth county jails, said she has managed budgets, supervised large staffs and worked with the clerk of court and judges.
“This experience includes effective transitioning to new department head leadership and facilitating the needs involved with the relocation of administrative offices and staff,” she said.
Steve Holder
Dawsonville’s former planning director Steve Holder, 46, also entered the race Friday.
“I enjoy the public service part that I’ve had in my life for the past 10 years,” he said. “I wish to continue that and serve the community in that capacity.”
Holder worked for several years in the county’s planning department before joining the city of Dawsonville’s planning staff.
“I have over nine years of experience in managing a government department and have worked closely with the clerk of courts office,” he said.
Holder said his work with managing property records as a planner would be an asset to the clerk’s office, adding, “I’m very familiar with what the office does.”
In other election news:
Jimmy Hamby
Local businessman Jimmy Hamby, 56, announced Thursday he will run for a seat on the Dawson County commission.
A native of Dawson County, whose family dates back generations in the area,
Hamby is the third candidate to qualify for the commission’s District 3 post.
Hamby said he’d like to see Dawson County continue to prosper, but at a rate the taxpayers can afford.
“I’ve lived here all my life and I care about the county,” Hamby said. “I want to see the things that are done right and continue growing, but at a pace that will suit the county.”
Other than the size of the field, there were few surprises Friday as qualifying for the July 20 primary election came to a close.
But with 10 hopefuls, the race for Clerk of Superior Court likely boasts the most candidates for an elected position in Dawson County’s history.
And the only certainty is that voters should expect a runoff election Aug. 10.
“I’m not sure we’ve ever seen that many candidates vying for the same elected office,” said Clint Smith, chairman of the Dawson County Republican Party.
Smith said it will be difficult for any candidate to receive 50 percent plus one vote, as required, to win the race July 20.
“It looks like we’ll be seeing a runoff with this one,” he said.
The clerk of courts position came open earlier this year when Becky McCord resigned following her arrest on suspicion of taking thousands of dollars from office accounts.
Candidates to succeed her include: Doug Boyle, Gaye Cantrell, Philip Cummings, Aimee Goodson, Lisa Henson, Steve Holder, Justin Power, Merrill Rackley, Eric Toal and Carl Volk.
Also on the July ballot are two seats on the county commission and two school board posts.
District 3 Commissioner Mike Connor did not qualify to seek re-election.
Candidates vying to replace him include Lionel Graves, Jimmy Hamby and Bill Minor.
For the other commission spot, District 1 incumbent Gary Pichon drew no opposition.
Also running unopposed are school board members Cecil Bennett and Will Wade.