By Ronnie Moore
Staff Writer
RINGGOLD, Ga. —; The only two elected posts in Catoosa County government up for election in the July 18 primaries are the District 2 and District 4 County Commission seats, but both Republican incumbents will face at least one election challenge.
District 2 Commissioner Bobby Winters and District 4 Commissioner Ron Gracy both have indicated their plans to seek re-election.
Mr. Gracy already has two GOP contenders who have filed papers to challenge in the Republican primary. Qualifying for the primaries ends at noon Friday.
Lining up to challenge Mr. Gracy so far are Republican businessmen Ivan DeWayne Hill and Rodney Waters.
County Republican Party Chairman Brad Scott said Mr. Gracy intends to file papers today.
The general election is Nov. 7, and Mr. Winters —; so far without opposition from within his own party —; will face a Democrat then.
Mr. Winters, who has filed qualifying papers, will face former District 2 County Commissioner Pat Page. She submitted her qualifying papers with Democratic Party Chairman Greg Bentley.
Mrs. Page lost the District 2 commission seat four years ago to Mr. Winters. As a Democrat she sought and lost the countywide commission chairmanship race in 2004 to Republican Bill Clark.
Mr. Bentley said there still may be a Democrat waiting to take on Mr. Gracy.
“I have an individual who has indicated an intent to seek the District 4 County Commission seat on the Democratic ticket,” Mr. Bentley said. “I am under the impression he will file qualifying papers with me (today) or Thursday.”
Meanwhile, two nonpartisan races for Catoosa County Board of Education seats held by Jane Everett and Garland Nance will be on the general election ballot Nov. 7.
The qualifying window for nonpartisan candidates to file for those races is from 9 a.m. June 26 to noon June 30, according to the Catoosa County Election Commission office.
E-mail Ronnie Moore at ronniem@timesfreepress.com
ON THE BALLOT
Catoosa offices up for election this year include:
District 2 County Commission seat
District 4 County Commission seat
Two nonpartisan school board seats
