A fifth name was added to the ballot for the Georgia House District 7 seat.
Gilmer County GOP Chair Richie Stone qualified for the seat left open by the death of Speaker David Ralston.
Stone joins Ralston’s widow Sheree Ralston, Brian K. Pritchard of the Fetch Your News website, Gilmer County Airport manager Justin Heitman and Blue Ridge banker Johnny Chastain in vying to join the Georgia House of Representatives.
All five registered as Republicans.
The election will be held Jan. 3, 2023. Early voting began, Monday, Dec. 12, to fill the seat which represents Gilmer, Fannin and portions of Dawson County.
Stone stepped down as Gilmer County GOP chair upon qualifying.
“I’ve spent the last four years as the Gilmer GOP Chairman surrounded by an incredible team of committee members and grassroots volunteers who have worked relentlessly,” he said. “It’s frustrating to see it result in losses because candidates are either out of touch or too unpalatable for moderates.
“Something isn’t working, it’s either the same old establishment people running for these seats or it’s flamethrowers from the fringes of the party.
“It’s a cause and effect that only drives the wedge further within our party. I’ve seen it firsthand. So l’m in the race to offer an alternative. A common sense, practical, conservative vision for our future. I want to change the conversation.”
Chastain qualified just as the Times-Courier went to press last week.
Chastain has been with United Community Bank for 30 years and been in banking for 37.
“I believe our next representative should not just talk about, but live the traits in which they portray — traits such as accessibility, responsiveness and transparency,” he said. “As a banker I am a fiscal conservative. As a Christian, I am socially conservative. As a staunch constitutionalist I believe in, and will defend, protecting our God-given rights such as the Second Amendment, right to life and right to liberty.
“I am tired of politicians who, while running on issues, make promises and statements [that they later end up breaking] and run a slash-and-burn campaign attacking their opponent. That’s not me. I won’t do it. I will, however, tell you where my core values come from, and how I will make decisions.”
Speaker Ralston was first elected to the House in 2002 and was first elected as Speaker of the House in 2010. He was the longest currently-serving state house speaker in the country.
Ralston, 68, passed away on Nov. 16 from an “extended illness,” according to his longtime spokesman Kaleb McMichen.