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Peachtree – As Randy Phillips read early voting numbers aloud to a crowd gathered at Julie’s Place on election night, Jan Griggs let out a victorious yell.
Griggs, a Republican, defeated Democratic opponent Victoria Bauman in the Nov. 3 general election to become the third woman in history elected to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. Griggs earned 78.78 percent of the votes and will represent District 5, replacing Roy Dickey, who did not seek re-election.
“I am not, nor will I ever be, a politician,” Griggs told those who attended her celebration at Julie’s Place. “I am a Marine, and that’s the only thing I know how to be. When I say honor, courage and commitment, that’s exactly what I mean; and that’s how I’m going to serve this county.”
Griggs’ two adult children traveled to Cherokee County for the celebration. She hadn’t seen her daughter in nearly a year.
“I was young when my mom retired, so I didn’t get to see her be a Marine for her entire 23-year stint,” 29-year-old Kiffney Stokes said. “It’s nice to see her step back into a leadership role now that I’m older and can fully understand, appreciate and support everything that she’s trying to do.
“I know she can make a difference. I’m really excited to see what she does here.”
Griggs’ son said he knew his mother wouldn’t sit idle during retirement and will always find a way to serve the community.
“She’s someone who has a lot of integrity, and you don’t always see that in politicians,” 34-year-old Zach Griggs said. “It’s nice to see someone who is not a career politician get into office to make a change.”
Jan, who previously worked with Cherokee County Veterans Services, credited her husband of 41 years for being her “rock” and supporting all of her endeavors.
“She worked hard for [this win,]” Joe Griggs said. “She visited every department head [in the county]. It’s a knowledge trip, and she’s still on it. She can’t go wrong.”
Kimmi Wilkins, the front manager and catering coordinator at Julie’s Place, has known the Griggs family for about 15 years. She said it was an honor to help plan Jan’s special night.
“I love the fact that she is a commissioner,” Wilkins said. “It’s amazing to see women doing such empowering things. I’m very thankful for her and our relationship.”
Meanwhile, Phillips –
a Republican who ran unopposed in the general election after defeating two-term Commissioner C.B. McKinnon in the primary for the District 2 seat – said he’s going to let God lead the way.
“I’d heard that someone needs to run against our commissioner in District 2,” Phillips said while explaining what led him to seek an elected office. “I prayed about it and I woke up on Dec. 20, and God had spoken to me and told me to go file. That was the last day that you could file.
“I promise you I’m going to do what I feel is right; what God leads me to do. If I can’t go to bed at night and get up and look at myself in the mirror, then I haven’t done the right thing. I’ve been a school resource officer for 23 years, and that’s the way I have treated that job.”
Griggs and Phillips will join the board in December. Phillips does not have to resign from his role as an SRO to serve as a commissioner.