New Augusta commissioner and ‘Yes’ to tax questions were big winners in the primary

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2026

New Augusta commissioner and ‘Yes’ to tax questions were big winners in the primary

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – This business owner is taking care of business, after winning a seat on the Augusta commission.

“So thankful and grateful to the voters and supporters of District 6, they trusted me and believed in me and given this opportunity to serve the community,” said Commissioner-Elect Tamika Bean

Tamika Bean, the former assistant to Mayor Garnett Johnson, surprised many by her upset victory over incumbent commissioner Tony Lewis getting nearly 60 percent of the vote.

“I was totally humbled and surprised by it,” said Bean.

Bean, the newcomer, joins a commission full of familiar faces, as incumbents Stacey Pulliam, Lonnie Wimberly, and Wayne Guilfoyle all won re-election.

And despite organized opposition to axe the tax, Guilfoyle was happy to see approval of the SPLOST and especially the new FLOST, the half-cent sales tax for property tax relief.

“It directly impacts every property owner in Augusta, it benefits us. The government doesn’t receive any thing out of it,” said Guilfoyle.

Following the election, some want to see more out of the city’s registered voters, where turnout was less than 30 percent.

Gayla Keesee of the league of Women Voters says those registered need to understand the importance getting out with the run-offs coming in June.

Whose mayor or who’s District 8 Commissioner and those are final elections those are the ones the league is trying to get Richmond County voters to understand.

Voters decide elections, something commissioner-elect Tamika Bean totally understands.

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Georgia primary election day brings out diverse voters

Published

14 hours ago

May 20, 2026

Press Room

Georgia primary election day brings out diverse voters

Primary Election Day was Tuesday in Georgia, and several notable races took place in the Augusta area.

Three Columbia County seats on the Board of Commissioners were challenged by Democrats. According to election records dating to at least 2010, Columbia County commission candidates have been overwhelmingly Republican, often running unopposed by Democrats. On election day, Democrats were running for the chairmanship and the seats in Districts 1 and 4.

An Augusta mayoral race was likely headed to a June 16 runoff. Incumbent Garnett L. Johnson was running against three nonpartisan challengers with their own platforms on how to move the city forward.

The only Augusta Commission race without an incumbent was in District 8, with Brandon Garrett stepping back. Three candidates from the Hephzibah were eyeing the seat.

‘In and out,’ says voter at Columbia County poll

At Abilene Baptist Church on Washington Road in Martinez, Georgia, Columbia County elections poll manager Molly Boyleston said there had been 45 voters between 7 and 9 a.m.

“It’s been steady, similar to other primaries. We know the people here,” said Boyleston, who has been a poll manager for that precinct for 12 years.

Mike Materna of Martinez voted at Abilene Baptist Church on Tuesday morning.

“I was in and out. They were there to help me out; some of the questions were confusing,” he said of the ballot without elaborating.

For this primary, three seats on the Columbia County Board of Commissioners are challenged by Democrats. According to election records dating to at least 2010, Columbia County commission candidates have been overwhelmingly Republican, often running unopposed by Democrats. For this election, Democrats are running for the chairmanship and the seats in Districts 1 and 4.

Immigrant casts first vote as an American

Carol Richards was giddy with excitement when she entered Julian Smith Casino in Augusta, Georgia, on Tuesday afternoon to vote for the first time.

“I just became an American citizen,” she told Cecilia Wright, a poll worker stationed at the front desk. About 20 minutes later, she returned, still excited about her first vote as an American.

How did it feel? “I feel good. I really feel good,” she said. “After 40 years, I got citizenship.”

Richards, 66, was born in Jamaica, grew up in London, and later moved to New York. Her mother lived in Augusta, and she moved here after she died. Her citizenship was official in September 2024.

Carter Center: Braves hats, flowers and peanuts left as tributes

Outside the Carter Center, Braves hats and boiled peanuts are left in honor of President Carter in Atlanta.

Augusta voter has ties to state Supreme Court, Carter administration

Susan Jordan, 82, stopped to talk after voting at Julian Smith Casino in Augusta, Georgia, on Tuesday.

“I could have voted absentee, but I wanted to get the vibe” of voting in person, she said. “It’s a privilege, and everyone should vote.”

Also, she had a special vote to cast: Her daughter-in-law, Jen Jordan, was on the ballot for Georgia Supreme Court. And politics has long been a part of her family. Her brother-in-law, the late Hamilton Jordan, was the chief of staff for President Jimmy Carter in 1979-1980.

Augusta voter seeks lower taxes, more help for homeless

Chad Mallard, 46, of Augusta, Georgia, was voting for just the second time on Tuesday.

He said he used to think that his one vote didn’t matter, but he realized that it was the way to make changes in the community. He said he voted for incumbent Mayor Garnett Johnson and to re-elect Ashley Wright to the Georgia Superior Court.

Mallard, who voted at the Kroc Center, identifies as a Democrat, but “I used to say neither way.” He wants to see some important changes for the community, and politics is the way to do that.

In particular, he wants to see lower property taxes and more help for the growing homeless community.

Augusta wife gets her husband to vote

Ryan and Tiffany Amerhein brought their 3-year-old son Dorian with them to vote at the Kroc Center on Broad Street. Tiffany, 33, said she has always been a regular voter, but her husband wasn’t.

“I was able to educate him,” said she.

Tiffany said she got Ryan, 35, more involved in government issues, especially the Richmond County School Board, since they have a child. They attended a forum where they got to see candidates in person and hear directly from them.

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Augusta, GA

Rick Allen wins the Republican nomination for U.S. House District 12

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2026

Press Room

Rick Allen wins the Republican nomination for U.S. House District 12

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Allen has won the Republican nomination for U.S. House in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press.

Allen has been in office since January 2015, and he was running against former Marine Tory Branum.

Even though less than half of the votes have been counted, AP has called the race, with Allen receiving over 80% of the votes so far.

Less than two weeks ago, Allen held a breakfast rally for voters at Aldersgate Methodist Church, 10 days before Georgia’s primary election day.

At the event, Allen emphasized the importance of reading levels in schools, economic growth and healthcare.

The race for the Democratic nomination hasn’t been decided yet. Ceretta Smith, Traci George, Brianna Woodson, Tracell Peace-Nichols and Chris Stephens are running.

Elsewhere across Georgia

Chris Harden won the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Georgia’s 11th Congressional District.
Clay Fuller won the Republican nomination for U.S. House in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District.
Nikema Williams won the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Georgia’s 5th Congressional District.

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Augusta, GA

Richmond, Columbia County voters cast their ballots on Election Day

Published

2 days ago

May 19, 2026

Press Room

Richmond, Columbia County voters cast their ballots on Election Day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Voting polls have opened for voters in Richmond and Columbia counties on Tuesday.

In Richmond County, the Board of Elections projects total turnout between 30 and 35 percent by the end of election day Tuesday.

On Monday, Doss say Richmond County broke its all-time early voting record for a primary election, with 17,465 ballots cast before election day.

Travis Doss, Richmond County Board of Elections executive director, said about 600 people will work the election, including 500 poll workers and seven teams of about 10 people each to set up voting equipment at 41 locations.

Polls opened at 7 a.m.

Doss said voters should verify their assigned polling location before heading to the polls Tuesday.

“I always say, be prepared, make a plan,” Doss said. “Polls will open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. They have to go to their assigned polling location.”

Voters can call the Board of Elections office or check the Secretary of State’s My Voter page to verify their polling location.

Doss said several polling places have changed since the last election. Voters from St. Mark were moved to National Hills. Half of the voters at Mann-Mize were moved to Building Worship, while the other half went to Good Shepherd. The Oasis Church voters in Hephzibah were moved to the Brothersville Event Center.

Signs will be posted at the old locations, and voters should have received mailings in March.

If you want to view your sample ballot, you can find it on the Board of Elections website or the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

If you have questions, you can call the Richmond County Board of Elections Office at 706-821-2340.