Candidates vying to become the City Council representative for Statesboro’s District 2 are nothing if not confident heading into the week of Election Day.
After weeks of campaigning and visiting with constituents, District 2 challengers Sam Jones, Don Logan, and Lance Turner are hopeful a majority of voters will mark their respective names on ballots when polls open Tuesday, November 8. 
The men say door-to-door visits throughout the district, where campaign materials advertise candidates at every corner, have given plenty of reason to expect success.
“Everything is going well and we are getting a lot of warm support, so I am feeling great about (the election) at this point,” Jones said — a Statesboro native, Jones sales life insurance and is a member of the Georgia National Guard. “I am very optimistic because people are repeating the things that I am saying — that they are looking forward to change and feel like I am the one for the job.”
“I am very confident going into Tuesday,” said Turner, who operates Eagles Nest Learning Center in Statesboro and coaches track and field at Statesboro High School.  “The response from voters has been great. I’m getting a great response from the community and a lot of folks are looking forward to change.”
Incumbent Councilman Gary Lewis, who is trying to remain city council’s longest serving member, said he too has seen a great deal of support.
“The campaign is going good,” Lewis said. “I am very optimistic — very much so. I have talked with people and been very happy with the responses I have received.”
Still, council hopefuls plan to make pitches to voters until the moment all precincts close.
“We will be helping folks get to and from the polling places on Election Day,” Turner said. “I may still do some door-to-door campaigning that day as well.”
Jones and Lewis’ camps will also usher people to and from precinct locations, according to the candidates.
With campaigns nearing their end, the hopefuls say they are focused on issues that have been expressed to them by citizens of District 2.
“People are concerned with the lack of response to leaders within the community,” said Logan, a pastor and retired military veteran. “We need to find solutions for people’s problems.”
“People have been complaining about sidewalks, sewer issues and other problems, Turner said. “Citizens have not had a voice for 13 years. I want to get the community involved in the process — see what citizens’ concerns and problems are.”
Voters, who did not participate in early or advance voting, will have an opportunity to decide the future of the district when polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. Ballots can be cast until 7 p.m.
Anyone wishing to vote in the city election must be a registered voter in Statesboro and present some form of photo identification on the day of elections, according to Bulloch County Elections Supervisor Pat Lanier Jones.
If none of the four candidates receives 50 percent, plus one, of votes cast in the race after all ballots are counted, there will be a runoff between the two top vote getters on Dec. 6, she said.
Jones, Turner and Lewis will each host celebration events after polls close. The locations have yet to be determined, they said.

Jeff Harrison can be reached at 912-489-9454