State Filings Show Oconee County Leaders Favoring One Candidate In Georgia House District Race

A number of Oconee County leaders, including Board of Commissioners Chairman John Daniell, already have picked sides in an evolving contest for what could be an open House District 117 seat.

According to Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports filed on June 30, Daniell contributed to the campaign of Houston Gaines, as did Oconee County Board of Education Chair Tom Odom, Watkinsville City Council member Brian Brodrick and businessman Carl Nichols.

Gaines, who just graduated from the University of Georgia, is one of three candidates running to fill the 117th House District seat now held by Regina Quick. Three of Oconee County’s 13 precincts are in the 117th House District.

Gaines has raised $66,136 for his campaign.

Quick currently is under consideration for an opening on the state Superior Court and, according to campaign finance reports, has not raised any money since the end of January for a re-election campaign.

Doug McKillip, whom Quick defeated in a Republican primary in 2012, also is running and has lent his campaign $102,000, according to his June 30 filing with the state Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission.

Deborah Gonzalez is in the race as well and has raised $7,842, according to her June 30 filing.

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

Pictured: Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports.