Qualifiying Week

A contested race is on for the Wheeler County Sheriff position, as two men qualified for the position last week.

Current Wheeler County Sheriff Randy Rigdon is being challenged by Glenn Giles. Rigdon has served two terms as sheriff.

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posts are up for grabs in Wheeler County in the May 21 General Election, and a School Board referendum is also on the ballot in a special election.

Also qualifying last week to seek election or reelection were Rochelle Culver, incumbent, Wheeler County Commission, District 1; Danny Clark, Wheeler County Commission, District 2; and Keith McNeal, Wheeler County Commission, District 3. McNeal is being challenged by Dustin Shane Purvis, who qualified last week.

William “Bill” Ford, who holds the Wheeler County Board of Education District 3 seat, also qualified for reelection. The District 4 BOE seat currently held by Tucker Dixon is also up or reelection. Dixon was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Wayne Bridges, who passed away in 2023. There are six district seats on the Board of Education and one at-large post. Elections for these posts are rotated every two years. Terms for these nonpartisan posts are for six years.

Ted Mercer qualified to seek reelection to the nonpartisan Wheeler County Coroner’s post. He is being challenged by Candy Day Purvis.

Kim Clark qualified to seek reelection to the Wheeler County Tax Commissioner’s post. Jolinda Harrelson qualified to seek reelection to the nonpartisan post of Wheeler County Probate Judge/Magistrate, and Carol Bragg qualified to seek reelection as Wheeler County Superior Court Clerk.

A referendum to continue a one-cent sales and use tax to finance Wheeler County Schools capital and outlay projects is also on the ballot. The sales tax currently being collected is anticipated to reach its collection maximum prior to its expiration on March 31, 2026. If approved, a new tax would commence on April 1, 2026.

The last day to register to vote in this election is April 22. Advance voting for the May election will be held April 29-May 17.

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