Ralston, Gooch challenged

David Ralston and Steve Gooch, who represent Fannin County under the Gold Dome in Atlanta, were both challenged for re-election as qualifying ended last week for Georgia’s 2020 elections.

Two other locally important seats, a Superior Court judgeship and district attorney in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, saw no opposition to incumbents Judge Brenda S. Weaver and District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee.

According to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s website, every other race on the ballot will see opposition. 

Incumbent Ralston - R will face Rick D. Day - D for State Representative, District 7 come election day.

Incumbent Gooch - R will be challenged by June Krise - D for State Senator, District 51.

The following 12 candidates qualified to run for Doug Collin’s current seat as United States Representative, District 9:

•Michael Boggus - R;

•Paul Broun - R;

•Andrew Clyde - R;

•Matt Gurtler - R;

•Maria Strickland - R;

•Kevin Tanner - R;

•Ethan Underwood - R;

•Kellie Weeks - R;

•John K. Wilkinson - R;

•Devin Pandy - D;

•Brooke Siskin - D; and,

•Dan Wilson - D.

The following candidates qualified to run for Incumbent David Perdue’s United States Senate seat:

•David A. Perdue - R;

•Sarah Riggs Amico - R;

•Marckeith Dejesus - D;

•James Knox - D;

•Tricia Carpenter McCracken - D;

•Jon Ossoff - D;

•Maya Dillard Smith - D;

•Teresa Pike Tomlinson - D; and,

•Shane Hazel - L.

The following candidates qualified to run for Incumbent Kelly Loeffler’s United States Senate seat:

•Doug Collins - R;

•Derrick E. Grayson - R;

•Annette Davis Jackson - R;

•A. Wayne Johnson - R;

•Kelly Loeffler - R;

•Kandiss Taylor - R;

•Deborah Jackson - D;

•Jamesia James - D;

•Tamara Johnson-Shealey - D;

•Matt Lieberman - D;

•Joy Felicia Slade - D;

•Ed Tarver - D;

•Raphael Warnock - D;

•Richard Dien Winfield - D;

•Brian Slowinski - L;

•AL Bartell - I;

•Allen Buckley - I;

•Michael Todd Greene - I;

•Valencia Stovall - I;

•John “Green” Fortuin - G; and,

•Rod Mack - Write-in.

Information regarding these candidates can be found on the Georgia Secretary of State website at https://elections.sos.ga.gov/GAElection/CandidateDetails.

Primary elections will take place May 19, and those wishing to vote must register to do so by April 20. 

Citizens can register to vote online at registertovote.sos.ga.gov or in the Board of Elections Office on the third floor of the Fannin County Courthouse.