What Glynn County voters will see on the May primary ballot

While the race for president is getting much of the attention in the 2024 election cycle, Georgia voters will also be electing officials for local, state, and federal office this year. Some of those races will be on the ballot for the state’s primary on May 21.

This year’s election does not include the high-profile statewide offices, such as governor, lieutenant governor, or secretary of state, as those positions were all elected in 2022, and won’t be up for election again until 2026. Also, neither of Georgia’s two U.S. Senators, Jon Ossoff or Raphael Warnock, are up for election this year. The only offices that will be on every Georgia voter’s primary ballot will be a single state Supreme Court race and a single Georgia Court of Appeals race.

In Glynn County, voters will also make choices in a few county commission and board of education races, and some non-partisan county offices. They will also see the names of candidates who are unopposed in their primary on the ballot. The local Republican and Democratic parties have also placed their own non-binding party questions on the ballot, in addition to the eight questions each state party put on the ballot.

Glynn County Commission, At Large Post 2

Incumbent Walter Rafolski is seeking re-election. No Democrats qualified for this race. Independent candidate Laura Khurana has qualified for the general election.

• Elizabeth Atkins - Realtor (Campaign website)
• Walter Rafolski - Merchant (Campaign Facebook page)
• Julian “Puddy” Smith - Retired professor

Glynn County Commission, District 2

The incumbent, Republican Cap Fendig, is not on the ballot in this election. No Democrats qualified for this race.

• Amy Abbott - Math instructor (Campaign website)
• Bob Duncan - Retired
• George Ragsdale - Retired

Glynn Board of Education, District 1

The incumbent, Republican Marcus Edgy, is not on the ballot in this election. No Democrats qualified for this race.

• Jeff Dodgen - Territory Sales Manager
• Mark Newman - Retired

Glynn Board of Education, District 5

The incumbent, Democrat Audrey Gibbons, is seeking re-election. No Republicans qualified in this race.

• Shawn Brown - Longshoreman
• Audrey Gibbons - Tax accountant (Campaign Facebook page)

Glynn Solicitor of State Court

The primary responsibility of this office is to prosecute all criminal misdemeanor offenses filed in the State Court of Glynn County. It is a non-partisan race. Incumbent Maria Lugue is seeking re-election.

• Maria Lugue - Solicitor of State Court
• James Wrixam “Wrix” McIlvaine - Attorney (Campaign website)

Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission, At Large Post 1

The mission of the Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water and Sewer Commission to safeguard the public health and safety by providing sufficient drinking water and environmentally responsible wastewater treatment in a financially sound manner while meeting or exceeding all regulatory requirements and supporting planned growth in the community. The incumbent, Chad Strickland, is not on the ballot in this election. This is a non-partisan race.

• Dave Austin - Retired
• Bill Edgy - Senior sales management
• Stacey Grace - Customer service (Campaign Facebook page)

Glynn Republican Party Questions

In addition to the eight questions placed on the ballot by the Georgia Republican Party, the county Republican Party added four additional questions:

• 9. Glynn County currently has separate law enforcement agencies. The Glynn County Police Department reports to the County Manager. The Sheriff’s Office which includes a traffic division, courthouse security and services and a detention center reports to the Sheriff. Would you support putting all county (not City) law enforcement under the command of the Sheriff?
• 10. Would you support shifting more tourism budget to emphasize venues & activities in Brunswick and the County to help relieve the congestion on St. Simons Island?
• 11. Would you support the incorporation of St Simons Island as a city if it means that property taxes would increase for all Glynn County residents?
• 12. Would you support a school tax exemption for taxpayers over 65 regardless of income level?

Glynn Democratic Party Questions

In addition to the eight questions placed on the ballot by the Democratic Party of Georgia, the county Democratic Party added three additional questions:

• 9. Should abortion be a decision made between a woman, her physician and family?
• 10. Should the State of Georgia expand Medicaid?
• 11. Should recreational use of marijuana be legalized in Glynn County?