Augusta, GA

‘A lot is at stake’: Local voters weigh in on presidential race

Published

1 year ago

October 18, 2024

‘A lot is at stake’: Local voters weigh in on presidential race

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We are just 18 days away from election day, and Georgia has already seen record-breaking numbers at the polls in early voting.

In Richmond County so far, more than 11,000 voters have shown up at the polls.

In Columbia County so far, more than 12,000 voters have shown up at the polls.

Election officials say the numbers speak for themselves about the urgency voters are having right now with this election.

Voters say it’s now or never for the next four years if they don’t act now.

“There’s a lot at stake, a lot of rights at stake, a lot of what could happen depending on who gets in office,” said Richmond County voter, Amaya Swafford.

A look at Helene’s impact on mail-in voting

Add mail-in voting to the growing list of things Helene has impacted as we’re just 19 days out from election day. A major backlog of mail means there are concerns absentee ballots won’t make it in on time.

Voters like Swafford are making sure their voice is represented.

“It’s nice that so many people care. So that makes me happy, but it also makes me nervous, because the race is so tight,” she said.

The presidential race remains neck and neck with national polls favoring Harris.

But in key battleground states like Georgia, Trump is taking the edge.

Richmond County’s Board of Elections Executive Director Travis Doss says the urgency with voters is being reflected in the turnout.

“Georgia, of course, after 2020, has been now classified as a battleground state, and I think just with the media attention on that, is what’s driving people to make sure that their choice is made, as far as voting for which candidate they want for president,” said Doss.

Election officials say they haven’t seen turnout this high before.

FILE - A sale sign stands outside a home in Wyndmoor, Pa., Wednesday, June 22, 2022. The...

Columbia County Board of Elections Executive Director Nancy Gay said: “The lines have been out the door pretty much the entire time. 24 years that I’ve been here, I don’t know that we’ve voted over 12,000 people in three days.”

Columbia and Richmond counties are already seeing close to 11% voter turnout in three days – an uptick officials hope to stay strong.

Doss said: “We’re hoping it would be great if we would get between 40% to 45% of early votes. So, if we could get something around that, then I could see, you know, well, up into the 70% for a total with election day.”

Your choice is just 18 days away to decide on your vote.

Swafford said: “Now is the time to participate, because whether you like it or not, you will be governed by one of these candidates, so you have to make the choice.”

If you missed the past three days, you have until November 1 to vote early.

To find your polling location in Richmond County, visit https://www.augustaga.gov/2836/Advance-Voting-Location-Information.

To find your polling location in Columbia County, visit https://www.columbiacountyga.gov/318/Board-of-Elections.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

Published

45 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Steven Kendrick held a town hall on Wednesday at the Henry Brigham Community Center as he prepares to challenge Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

Kendrick, who serves as chief deputy tax commissioner for Richmond County, previously ran against Johnson in 2022. The town hall was part of Kendrick’s campaign tour as he seeks to unseat the incumbent mayor.

“Some of the people felt as though we really needed to dig a little deeper and we dug a little deeper,” Kendrick said after the meeting. “But that’s how you gain understanding, where everybody’s not going to agree about everything. Some of them we didn’t agree on. I certainly enjoyed the interaction. I learned some things, and I hope they learned some things as well.”

Multiple Commission seats up for election

The mayoral race is not the only contest facing Richmond County voters. Several Augusta Commission seats are up for election across multiple districts.

District 8 will have a new commissioner because Commissioner Brandon Garrett is term-limited and cannot run again. Michael Cioffi and Evett Williams have filed to run for the District 8 seat.

Districts 2, 4, 6 and 10 are also up for election. Stacy Pulliam currently serves in District 2.

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Augusta, GA

2026 is off to a deadly start, but what’s ahead for Augusta?

Published

13 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

2026 is off to a deadly start, but what’s ahead for Augusta?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County deputies are investigating their first homicide of 2026, which occurred early Monday morning on Hines Street just off Laney Walker Boulevard.

The victim was 21-year-old Thaddeus Kirkland. He was found bleeding on scene around 2 a.m. and died a short time later.

Suspect wanted for questioning

Deputies are seeking 24-year-old Bruce Wesby for questioning in connection to the incident. Wesby is known to frequent the Waynesboro area. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office.

Crime data shows progress in 2025

The first homicide of 2026 happened five days into the new year, two days sooner than the first homicide of 2025.

According to the sheriff’s office data, violent crime decreased significantly in 2025 under Sheriff Eugene Brantley’s leadership. Homicides dropped 35% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025 to their lowest level since 2021.

Aggravated assaults also dropped 35% to their lowest mark since 2018. Armed robberies fell 36% year-over-year to their lowest mark since crime data for Richmond County was first recorded in 2011.

Law enforcement focused on high-risk areas, including downtown Augusta, to lower response times and keep people safe.

“What they really want is for their families that they’re raising in this area to have safe lives, just like the citizens of Augusta that vote them in,” said M. Steven Fishman, president of Sidney’s Department Store & Uniforms. “They want to be able to go to work, come home, and enjoy their lives with their children, knowing that they’re safe.”

As 2026 gets underway, the sheriff’s office is continuing upgrades for technology and equipment to continue its goal of reducing violent crime. The office sent a statement saying the progress is in large part due to the community and deputies working together.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta organizations win $200K award for community outreach

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Augusta organizations win 0K award for community outreach

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two Augusta organizations have been awarded $200,000 for their community outreach initiatives.

The Hub for Community Innovation Augusta and the Medical College of Georgia were named winners of the National Institutes of Health Build UP Trust Challenge, according to a post on Augusta University’s Facebook page.

The organizations were recognized for their efforts in expanding access to care and elevating community voices in research and healthcare through their Community Outreach through Athletics in Colleges and High Schools (COACHS) program.

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