Murphy – Cal Stiles was eager to show off the number “1” ticket in his hand as he sat in the hallway outside the Cherokee County Board of Elections office.
Stiles, seeking a fourth term as District 1 Commissioner of Cherokee County, said he arrived at the office at 10 a.m. Monday – a full two hours ahead of the noon opening for individuals to file their candidacy for the March 2022 primary.
“I’m officially number one,” Stiles said with a grin.
Stiles was among several candidates to file their paperwork shortly after the official noon opening. This year’s local races feature a variety of notable positions, including sheriff, three county commissioners seats and four slots on the county school board. The 2022 election also will include the constitutional offices of clerk of Superior Court and register of deeds on the ballot.
Party affiliation was a popular point of emphasis among early registrants, as more than one candidate stressed to Board of Elections Director Leighsa Jones to make sure they were listed as a Republican.
The all-Republican county board of commissioners will feature at least one new member by the time the dust settles on the 2022 election. While Stiles and Dan Eichenbaum (District 4) are running for re-election, Gary “Hippie” Westmoreland (District 3) is not seeking a third term.
Stiles is being challenged by former commissioner and Andrews Alderman Steve Jordan, while Ben Adams and John Warden are running for Westmoreland’s District 3 spot.
Westmoreland said it was time to let someone else take over after his eight years.
“If (two terms) was good enough for George Washington, that’s good enough for Hippie,” Westmoreland said. “I’m proud of what I’ve done.”
Cherokee County’s Board of Education will also feature a vacancy, as board member Joe Wood is leaving his position to run for sheriff.
Wood, who also serves as chief deputy, is being joined in the sheriff’s race by Dustin Smith and Heath Woodard, although the latter has not yet filed. A new state law requires sheriff candidates to verify that they have no prior felony convictions or expungements of felony convictions.
In addition to Wood’s soon-to-be vacant spot on the school board, positions occupied by vice chair Jeff Martin, Keesha Curtis and Joey Shore will also be on the ballot.
Jason Murphy, a newcomer to politics, filed his candidacy for school board, noting that he has a son in kindergarten and another set to begin pre-kindergarten next year.
Allen Denny also filed his candidacy for school board, while incumbent Roger Gibson filed for clerk of court.
Registration remains open through noon Friday, Dec. 17. The filing fees charged are equal to 1 percent of each position’s starting salary.