Wednesday, May 20, 2026 — Local voters made their voices heard yesterday during a highly active primary election cycle, solidifying key matchups for November and locking in runoffs for June. Concurrently, the Gordon County Board of Commissioners met for a heavily packed Tuesday evening session, reviewing the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 county budget, authorizing a four percent pay increase for county employees, and extending critical development moratoriums.
Local healthcare and safety campaigns also took center stage today, with AdventHealth Gordon launching a subsidized preventative care program and law enforcement kicking off a major safety initiative.
Part 1: Primary Election Results and Upcoming Runoffs
Voters made definitive choices in several local contests, while others are officially heading to primary runoffs next month.
Local Gordon County Commission Matchups
County Commissioner – District 2: Republican Chad Steward claimed the primary victory with 3,863 votes (54.72%), defeating George Kenneth Hayes, Jr., who received 2,779 votes (39.37%). Steward will face Democrat Joshua L. Boling in November. Boling ran unopposed in his primary, securing 1,180 votes (85.94%).
County Commissioner – District 4: Kurt Sutherland won the Republican primary outright with 3,765 votes (53.34%), overcoming challengers Johnny Martin (1,875 votes, 26.56%) and Justin Henderson (1,021 votes, 14.46%). Sutherland will return to the Board of Commissioners unopposed in November.
Board of Education Outcomes
Post 7 (Runoff): The race for Post 7 is heading to a June runoff between Judy M. Craig, who secured 2,369 votes (42.58%), and Dakota Grogan, who finished with 2,111 votes (37.94%). Sheila Wheat was eliminated with 645 votes (11.59%).
Uncontested Posts: Uncontested Republican candidates Charlie Walraven (Post 1: 4,677 votes, 84.06%), Steven Proper (Post 3: 4,509 votes, 81.04%), and Mericia Henderson (Post 5: 4,390 votes, 78.90%) have officially secured their seats.
11th Congressional District Split
In federal congressional matchups, local voting reflected strong split-ticket patterns:
Republican Primary: John Cowan dominated the local vote with 52.92%, leading Rob Adkerson (14.24%) and Tricia Pridemore (12.96%). District-wide, Cowan and Adkerson are heading to a June runoff.
Democratic Primary: Chris Harden secured the local vote decisively with 69.36% over Barry Wolfert (21.83%), winning the district-wide nomination outright.
Full precinct results, voter turnout metrics, and updated district brackets are available at discovergordoncounty.com.
Local Government and County Administration News
The Gordon County Board of Commissioners met last night, Tuesday, May 19th, in the Judicial Building Assembly Room to review municipal operations and the upcoming Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
4% Cost-of-Living Pay Boost for County Staff
To attract and retain competitive personnel amid regional growth, the proposed FY27 county budget includes a four percent cost-of-living salary increase for all county employees.
Healthcare Coverage Decision: Maintaining Cigna
County Administrator Jim Ledbetter announced that the county is backtracking on its previous plans to change health insurance providers. Instead of transitioning to UnitedHealthcare (UHC), the county has resolved to keep its current Cigna coverage.
Ledbetter noted the transition was cancelled because there was no guarantee that local provider AdventHealth would remain in-network under UnitedHealthcare—a risk county leadership deemed unacceptable for its workforce. Concurrently, local agency Starr Matthews is actively collaborating with the county to develop options to make primary care through AdventHealth less expensive and more accessible for county employees.
Residential Rezoning and Moratorium Extensions
In land-use business, commissioners held several public hearings on residential rezoning requests and voted unanimously to adopt resolutions extending two critical moratoriums:
Anaerobic Digestion Facilities: Commissioners extended a temporary moratorium on permitting and zoning actions for operations that process heavy organic waste. The suspension allows county staff to continue studying the long-term impact on odor, truck traffic, and public health.
Commercial Data Centers: The county also extended its temporary moratorium on permitting data centers in unincorporated Gordon County as code officials finalize updates to the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC).
Public Health Spotlight: Subsidized Screening Mammograms
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women, with approximately one in eight women in the United States facing a diagnosis in her lifetime. Because early detection is a critical factor in successful treatment, AdventHealth Gordon is offering screening mammograms to local women for just $30.
We were joined on air today by Oncology Center Director Emily Tarpley, who highlighted the critical importance of annual clinical breast exams and mammography. Emily emphasized that the subsidized rate is designed to lower financial barriers and ensure every woman in Gordon County has access to elite, accredited care.
The program is hosted at the Edna Owens Breast Center, which has once again been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. To schedule a mammogram or to learn more about early detection resources, call the center directly at 706-602-4518.
Regional Savings and Public Safety Campaigns
State Gas Tax Suspension Extended
Georgia drivers will continue to see relief at the pump. Governor Brian Kemp has extended the state’s gas tax suspension through June 3rd. Right here in Gordon County, gas was spotted for $3.79 cash at the Circle K located at Curtis Parkway and Business 53.
”Click It or Ticket” Campaign Underway
On our local roads, Captain Christy Nicholson is reminding all motorists that the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign is now in full force. Local law enforcement is stepping up patrols and safety checkpoints to ensure drivers and passengers are buckled up. Remember, seatbelts save lives—buckle up every trip.