Two Run-Offs Tuesday Will Decide Local Races

August 20th, 2012

Two of the most hotly-contested local political races pit incumbents against former incumbents in tomorrow’s run-off election. Deciding who gets the jobs may come down to the wire. But it won’t go all the way to the November election.

The winner of Tuesday’s Democratic run-off for Clayton County Sheriff will, at least in theory, get the job, as there is no Republican candidate in the race.

Incumbent Sheriff Kem Kimbrough faces former Sheriff Victor Hill. The two fought each other for this job back in 200 with Hill emerging as winner.

But now Hill is the challenger. And he faces more than 30 felony charges, including racketeering, for offenses allegedly committed while he was sheriff. But as long as he hasn’t been convicted, Hill is eligible to hold the office again.

In Cobb County, one of two Republicans will emerge Tuesday as the new commission chair. The run-off pits current chairman Tim Lee against former chairman Bill Byrne. There is no Democratic challenger.