Two Columbia County commissioners announced their intent today to run for re-election.

Commission Chairman Ron Cross and Commissioner Scott Dean shared the spotlight this morning during a campaign announcement at the Evans Government Center. Both men said they intend to seek another term.

Realizing that the election is still some time away, the officials said the wanted to announce their re-election bids now to quell rumors that they were not going to seek another term of office.

Though no one has officially come forward to oppose Mr. Dean, retired businessman Brett McGuire, of Appling, filed last week a declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions with the county Board of Elections office in a bid to unseat Mr. Cross.

A retired general contractor, Mr. Cross first was elected to office in 2002. He is seeking his third term as commission chairman.

Mr. Dean, an agriculture sanitary specialist with the state Department of Agriculture, took the District 4 seat in 2007 to fill the unexpired term of Lee Anderson, who resigned to make a successful run for the state Legislature.

Previously, Mr. Dean served six years as Harlem’s mayor and two years on the city council.

All three men are registered Republicans in the partisan race.

Primary elections will be held in July.

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115,

or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 863-6165 or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com