Democrat Files For County Commission Slot

Tyra Byers qualified as a Democrat for Post 3 on the Oconee County Board of Commissioners on the final day of filing on Friday, bringing to three the number of county races to be contested by both parties in November.

Incumbent Republican Chuck Horton, who holds Post 2 on the Board of Commissioners, did not get any Democratic or Republican challengers, meaning he will run unopposed in the May 22 Republican primary and in the November 6 general election.

It remains possible that someone can mount an official write-in campaign in November, with the deadline for filing paperwork for such a contest on Sept. 10.

Byers qualified to run for the seat now held by William “Bubber” Wilkes, a Republican. Wilkes will have opposition in the Republican Primary from John Laster, who qualified on Wednesday.

Byers, along with Andrea Wellnitz and Fran Thompson, who qualified as Democrats for Board of Education Post 2 and 3 respectively, will move beyond the May 22 Democratic primaries without opposition and have their names on the ballot in November.

Incumbent Board of Education Post 2 member Amy Parrish will have competition from Adam Spence in the May 22 Republican primary, while Incumbent Board of Education Post 3 member Kim Argo has no challenger in the Republican primary.

For more on the story, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Tyra Byers