Richmond County Tax Commissioner Jerry Saul said he will not seek another term this fall and will endorse former Augusta Commissioner Tommy Boyles for the job.
Mr. Saul is in his 32nd year as tax commissioner and has developed health problems.
Mr. Boyles said he will run as a Democrat even though he has voted in recent years as a Republican, a fact that doesn't sit well with some local Democrats.
Richmond County Democratic Party Chairman Lowell Greenbaum said he has looked into whether they can keep Mr. Boyles from running as a Democrat and learned they cannot.
"He's voted in the last three primaries as a Republican," Dr. Greenbaum said. "We will be looking at other candidates to run under the Democratic label also."
Mr. Boyles said it has been a difficult decision but that the numbers aren't there in the Republican column.
"So it looks like I'm going to run as a Democrat," he said.
Mr. Boyles said he never joined the Republican Party, although he voted Republican and attended functions for both parties.
"I tried to keep my friends in both parties," he said.
Mr. Boyles was director of the Richmond County Recreation Department for 30 years before retiring and winning a seat on the Augusta Commission. He also made an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2005.
Though Commissioners Jerry Brigham and Joe Bowles have been rumored to want to run for tax commissioner, both said this week they are not interested in the job.
"I've never been inclined to run for tax commissioner," Mr. Bowles said.
Three candidates are vying to be appointed to fill the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney seat vacated by Danny Craig, and two of them have said they will run for the post in the fall.
Assistant District Attorney Ashley Wright and Richmond County Juvenile Court Judge Willie Saunders are seeking appointment by the governor and will run later this year. Public defender Ben Jackson has applied for the appointment but hasn't decided whether he will run.
Sheriff Ronnie Strength is running for his third four-year term. Clerk of Superior Court Elaine Johnson and Coroner Grover Tuten will also seek re-election, they said.
All of the Augusta-area General Assembly members said they will seek re-election, except for Rep. Barry Fleming, who is running for the 10th Congressional District seat. Retired executive Brett McGuire and Columbia County Commissioner Lee Anderson said they will try to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Fleming.
Sens. Ed Tarver, J.B. Powell and Bill Jackson each said this week they will seek re-election, as did state Reps. Hardie Davis, Gloria Frazier, Ben Harbin, Wayne Howard, Quincy Murphy and Barbara Sims.
Former Richmond County school board member A.K. Hasan has announced his candidacy for the seat now held by Mrs. Frazier.
Mr. Tarver said he keeps hearing former Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams will run against him.
"If that is true, I certainly look forward to having a thorough discussion of the issues," Mr. Tarver said.
Mr. Williams said Wednesday that he is not ready to discuss his plans.
"I'm getting some things put in place, and I plan to seek another seat in state government," he said.
Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
I thought declaring your party was a matter of principal rather than convenience. I would ask this gentleman to get off the fence. He would probably be an asset to either but indecision is a sign of weakness or desperation. The response that I have "friends" in both parties is both shallow and a cop out. Come on dude tell us who you really are.
I thought declaring your party was a matter of principal rather than convenience. I would ask this gentleman to get off the fence. He would probably be an asset to either but indecision is a sign of weakness or desperation. The response that I have "friends" in both parties is both shallow and a cop out. Come on dude tell us who you really are.
Funny. I know Tommy and he has been a real friend to the downtown. He was one of the main members of the commission that helped get the funding to start the Saturday Markey on Broad. I would vote for him for this position and even like the fact that he is running as Democratic Party candidate.
We aren't required to declare a party in this state. Why would you care how he votes when he goes into a voting booth. I certainly don't. We need good leaders. Period!
It is too late now, but it would be better if Tax Commissioner were changed to a "non-partisan" race like the races for judges, Mayor of Augusta, etc. As of yet, I have seen no difference in Republicans and Democrats regarding fairness in tax assessments and tax billings and tax collections.
Do awy with the Party System. Force people to think for a change.
Hey GREENBAUM!~ Would ya' like some FRENCH-CRIES with that WHAAA-MBURGER?
Mr. Greenbaum...I'd be willing to bet that a number of Democrats voted in Republican primaries. Quit whining. If you have a better candidate, put them forward.
Like I commented yesterday, "Heaven help us." Voting for people that have already held public office in Augusta is a lot like how STDs get passed around....it is called "history."
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