Cleveland has special election scheduled for March 24
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Annie Sutton -
Josh Turner
Two candidates for Cleveland mayor had emerged as the special election qualifying period neared its end.
Annie Sutton and Josh Turner officially entered the race Monday. No one else had registered on Wednesday, Jan. 29, with the three-day qualifying period set to end at 4:30 p.m.
Sutton had served on the Cleveland City Council since being elected in 2000. In qualifying for mayor, Sutton had to resign her position as Ward 2 council member.
“I feel like I have something to offer Cleveland,” Sutton told the White County News about choosing to run. “We started some great things, and I want to see them finished. I’ve lived here all my life and I love Cleveland. I love people. I feel like God has put me in this position to try and help people.”
She said she made her decision on Sunday.
“I wasn’t asked to do it or anything. I just prayed about it and I got my answer, so I decided to qualify.”
Turner previously announced he planned to run for mayor about two weeks ago. After filling out the qualifying paperwork, Turner released a statement Monday.
“I’ve been honored by the strong showing of support for my campaign,” he said. “The citizens of Cleveland have been so kind to me publicly showing their support. I’m also pleased to have the endorsement of former Governor Nathan Deal and Representative Terry Rogers.”
Turner has been employed by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for the past nine years, where he serves as the director of the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission.
Cleveland has called for the special election on Tuesday, March 24, to determine a successor to Shan Ash, who resigned as mayor Dec. 30 as he was set to begin his second term as mayor this month.
Voting will take place March 24 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. inside the First Baptist Church fellowship hall at 25 Church Street in Cleveland.
For those not already registered to vote, the deadline to register in time for the special election is Monday, Feb. 24, by 5 p.m. at the White County Board of Elections and Registration, at 1241 Helen Highway, Suite 210-A, in Cleveland.
Early voting for the special election will be held from March 2 to March 20 at Cleveland City Hall during regular business hours.
The city expects to hold another special election this year to fill the Ward 2 vacancy left by Sutton’s recent resignation, according to Cleveland City Administrator Tom O’Bryant. Details on that election have not yet been finalized.