Former Candidate Randy Collins recently told FYN he will endorse former opponent Tommy Ledford in the August 21st runoff race for commissioner chairman. Collins was eliminated from the contest in July. Incumbent Bill Simonds, who received 40.38 percent of the vote, faces Ledford in the race, who received a meager 17.24 percent. Collins’ endorsement, though, could give Ledford a boost of 12 percent or so, Collins’ portion of votes in the election. However, added to Ledford’s percentage, the sum still leaves Ledford short by a long shot.

When asked why he supported Ledford, Collins mainly criticized Simonds’ road projects, citing that road projects under Simonds’ watch have been completed incorrectly. Collins claims the chairman has paved a lot of one lane roads without making them safer.

“Any time you build a road,”

he told FYN,

“you’re supposed to improve it…because if you increase the speed on it without making it safer, it’s illegal.”

Collins went on to say he feels Ledford would do a better job.

Simonds won 40.38 percent of the vote, while, again, Ledford only won 17.24. Ledford’s share was divided between four other candidates. This is not necessarily an 82.76 percent vote against Ledford, though, since voters had four other candidates to choose from beside the incumbent. One of the other candidates could have one or more characteristics that could have made a voter select that candidate. However, more clearly 60 percent voted against Simonds. Responding to the results, Simonds told FYN that, although 60 percent voted against him. 82.76 voted against his opponent Ledford. The fact remains, though, that the 60 percent is a decisive vote against Simonds, because Ledford’s percentage was divided between four other candidates. Where the 60 percent against suggests that voters are willing to vote for the other candidate before Simonds. Another consideration, though, is voter psychology. Are these results evocative of voter dissatisfaction with Simonds or is it simply the spirit of anti-incumbency perfuming the air these days?

Regardless, the chairman is confident and said his campaign is in pretty good shape. Historically, the difficulty in runoffs has been encouraging voters to go to the polls again and casting the same votes. When asked how he would bring his supporters back out to the polls on the 21st, Simonds said,

“We do what we’ve been doing: talking to folks.”

Additionally, Simonds feels he has a strong record to run on.

For his part, Ledford, like Simonds, said the way to win back his supporters and gain more is to talk to as many people in the community as possible. By doing so, Ledford said, he feels he can win voters’ confidence in him that he can do the job and

“take care of what’s supposed be taken care of.”

Former Candidates Garnett P. Webb and Billy Callihan, who were also eliminated in July, along with Mr. Collins and Charles Fish, said they did not endorse either Simonds or Ledford. Webb said he’d rather let the people decide. Fish said he would announce his endorsement during the Republican Party meeting on August 20th, a day before the runoff.

The Post One Commission seat is also in a runoff between Earl Johnson and Clarence J. Farmer.

“It’s hard right now to sway anybody,”

Johnson told FYN,

“Most people have their minds made up on how they’re going to vote (and) will probably (just) get in line and go vote.”

Despite this, though, he said he would try to see as many people as possible and ask them to come out and vote. Mr. Farmer could not be reached for comment. Although eliminated from the contest in July, Former Post One Candidate Joe Webb came within a few percentage points of making the runoff. When asked, Webb said he would not endorse a candidate, emphasizing he ran for the office, not against Johnson or Farmer. In fact, Webb said he has worked with both candidates, noting they have signed his fiscal pledge. The pledge promises that the candidate will work toward including changes to the county charter requiring the county to balance its budget and have more fiscal transparency. The pledge also includes workshops that would encourage more citizen involvement. Webb said he was proud of the two candidates for signing the pledge.

Other runoffs include the Tax Commissioner race between Shirley Sosebee and John Chastain, and Probate Judge between R. Scott Kiker and Julie Fitts-Queen. Kiker said he will continue to work hard contacting people to encourage people to come back to the polls, which he said, is key. Queen said she has several plans, including automated and personal calls, “old fashioned door-to-door” contact, radio ads, and mailers. She also explained she has a committee of people to assist with the process. Jennifer Dickey and Amy Green Mason were eliminated from the contest. Dickey could not be reached for comment and Green Mason said she would not endorse anyone.

“I have nothing negative to say about either candidate. I hope and pray that they run a clean and professional campaign. I think this community deserves integrity and professionalism not negative and mudslinging. My hope is that who (sic) ever wins does so with a free and clean slate and owes no one any favors or promises and they are ready to take office and serve this awesome community.”

Tax Commissioner Candidate Shirley Sosebee said she will contact voters to make sure they come out and vote, calling it an important race.

“We need someone in there with experience, someone who can keep the county going,”

she told FYN, adding,

“I am the only one with any qualifications for this job.”

Mr. Chastain could not be reached for comment.

The runoff election will be held August 21st.