One of three Bulloch County Commission races is headed for a runoff, but candidates in the other races swept the votes by significant margins.

There were four candidates seeking Bulloch County Commission Seat 2A, but Curt Deal and Jimmy Hayes, both Republicans, will face off July 26 in a runoff. Deal garnered 3,088 votes during Tuesday’s General Primary election, followed by Hayes’ 2,206.

Gerald Fleming, also a Republican, received 929 votes, and Democrat Kelphie Lundy gathered 482 votes.

Deal said he appreciates the support and hopes his followers will continue.

"Now that everything has settled down, I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for coming out to vote yesterday,” he said Wednesday. “I also want to thank everyone who had a sign in their yard, posted about me on social media, talked to their friends and neighbors and just supported my campaign in general. Your encouragement means a lot to me and my family. I encourage everyone to go back and cast their vote once more, July 26, before November."

Hayes said he was “disappointed, but still happy” with the vote tally.
“I’m looking forward to the runoff. I’m going to keep going and I feel good about it. I plan on letting people know what is going on and how I feel about things,” he said.
Hayes said he hopes for a debate with Deal and is impressed by the civility of the campaigns. “I appreciate the way everybody has been decent” in conducting the commission race campaigns. He also encouraged people to take the time to vote, expressing disappointment in Bulloch County’s turnout of less than 10 percent. “It amazed me,” he said.

The Bulloch County Commission 2C race had two candidates; Jappy Stringer, who drew in 4,895 votes and won the election, and Dr. Gail Dismuke, who received 1,871 votes.

“I am honored by the fact that so many people came out to vote,” Stringer said.  “I am glad for the opportunity  and I look forward to serving the citizens of Bulloch County.”

Bulloch County Commission Seat 1A also had two candidates competing; incumbent Ray Mosley and challenger Hayward Fields.

Mosley gathered 300 votes in that district while Fields pulled in 169 votes.

“I am very appreciative that the citizens of Bulloch County gave me another opportunity to serve,” Mosley said. “I have had a pleasant opportunity to serve with the current commissioners and will enjoy the opportunity to serve another four years.” He said he hopes to see current projects such as the Interstate 16/Hwy. 301 interchange, industrial park, agriculture arena accomplished. He also hopes to work towards bringing in ore industry.  “These things are dear to my heart,” he said.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.