County Commissioner's Office

County Talk
By
Lamar Paris - Commissioner

Re-Elect Lamar Paris for Commissioner

Q.  Is it necessary for us to vote in the Democratic primary in order to vote for you on July 15?
A. Yes it is necessary.  I have a lot of friends and supporters, both Democrat and Republican. I have always registered as a Democrat because that is how I was raised. I am a conservative Georgia Democrat (used to be called Dixiecrats) However, as those who know me understand, my job as your commissioner does not have anything to do with party, but has to do with what is best for the citizens of Union County.

I am not a partisan Commissioner and I have worked hard to gain the respect of many state leaders of both parties and have been very successful in doing that.

Q. Why do we have to vote in a Democratic primary to vote for you if we are a Republican?
A.  This is hard for people to understand that have moved here from other states where it is not done this way.  However, in Georgia, there is one election, but it is like two primary elections on the same day at the same poll location - one for the Democrats and one for the Republicans. Each ballot has different party candidates listed on them.   As it appears now, there probably will not be any competitive races statewide from the Republican party ticket and that is why I need to ask as many Republicans as possible to please consider asking for a Democrat ballot in order to be able to vote for me. Also, if you want to vote for any of the other local elected Democrat officials on July 15th, you will have to vote in the Democratic primary.   I would also certainly ask for the vote and support of all Democrats, Independents and those who do not favor any particular party, but who strictly vote for the individual based on their qualifications.   

Q. Who else will be running on the Democratic ticket?
A. There will be three candidates running for county commissioner. Myself (incumbent) as well as Gene Nelson and Tony Dyer.  In addition, the County Coroner position also has two Democrats running, the incumbent, Benny Erwin will face off against Albert Davenport. The rest of the Democratic candidates will not have opposition until November, which includes Tax Commissioner J.W. Payne, Sheriff Scott Stephens, Clerk of Court Judy Odom and Rep. Charles Jenkins. The Probate Judge and Magistrate Judge did not draw any opposition from either party.

The only competitive races I am aware of on the Republican ticket will be the two candidates running for county sole commissioner.  That will be Justin Melick and Harold Cook.  Senator Chip Pearson is running unopposed and will have no opposition from either party.  As of the time of this writing, neither Congressmen Nathan Deal, Saxby Chambliss or Johnny Isakson had any Republican opposition.

Q. Do we have to vote for either a Democrat or Republican in the general election in November?
A.  No. This only happens in the primary election.  In November, you can vote for either party in any race.  You will not only be voting for local and state candidates, but for the President of the United States as well. 

Q.  When are you going to start putting out campaign signs? It appears that you are not taking this election seriously.
A. I can assure you that I am taking this election very seriously.   Most people are already sick of politics at the national level and I am trying to wait to put out signs until the end of May.   If you are interested in a sign, either yard sign or larger one, please call 706-745-5485 and leave a message and someone will get a sign to you within a few weeks. Thank you in advance for your interest and support.

Q.  Where is your campaign headquarters located?
A.  I do not currently have a campaign headquarters, but my campaign address is Paris for Commissioner, P.O. Box 3040, Blairsville, Georgia, 30514. My web site is VoteParis.com. I would humbly ask for your Vote and Support for the July 15th Democratic primary.  Thank You!!

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