Final candidates for May 24 election

Pike County candidates for the May 24 general primary and nonpartisan general election have thrown their hats into the ring and have started campaigning for several important local offices, including sheriff, clerk of superior court, probate judge, chief magistrate judge, commission District 2 and school board District 5. There are several other candidates who qualified unopposed.Candidates include:Sheriff incumbent Jimmy Thomas facing challenger Geoffrey Zimbelman Jr.;Clerk of Superior Court incumbent Carolyn Williams facing challenger Rebekah Hanson;Probate judge incumbent Lynn Brandenburg facing challenger Brent Taylor;Chief Magistrate Judge Marcia Callaway-Ingram facing challenger Phil Hammond;County commission chairman Briar Johnson facing challenger Gary Hammock;Commission District 2 incumbent James Jenkins facing challenger Dale Jackson;School board District 5 incumbent April Byrd facing challenger Denise Burrell. Unopposed incumbent candidates include tax commissioner Donna Chapman; District 3 commissioner Tommy Powers; county coroner Terrell Moody; and District 3 school board member Emily Green O’Steen. Beth Camp is running for the District 4 school board seat unopposed. Incumbent Charles Garrard indicated at the most recent school board meeting that he is not seeking reelection for that seat. Candidates will have the opportunity to tell readers about themselves in upcoming editions of the Pike County Journal Reporter.