Sheppard, Mayfield, Turner Win Lumpkin County Races

News, Politics

DAHLONEGA, Ga. — All Lumpkin County General Primary runoff races resulted in landslide victories last night. Veteran law enforcement officer Jim Sheppard coasted to victory in the coroner’s race, beating challenger Amanda Jones-Holbrooks 1,704 to 462. Bobby Mayfield defeated incumbent District 2 Commissioner Steve Shaw 1,596 to 549 and longtime educator Mera Turner beat Catherine Ariemma 1,597 to 719 to win the vacant school board seat.

After his resounding win, Sheppard said, “I’m honored the Lumpkin County citizens have elected me to represent them as their next coroner. The campaign has been a humbling experience, one filled with new friendships and discovery. As your Lumpkin County Coroner, I’ll work hard daily to maintain the honor and integrity that you expect of me. Thank you for my supporters who never gave up, especially my wife Rhonda and my daughter Anna who were with me each and every day of the campaign.”

Jones-Holbrooks was plagued by personal and legal problems. After winning the General Primary last May, she was arrested and charged with first-degree forgery, a felony one week before the early voting began. Lumpkin County authorities are also investigating a complaint of theft by deception leveled against her by her ex-husband.

After two terms on the Board of Commissioners, Shaw suffered the same fate as many incumbents across the state and nation in his loss to Mayfield, who captured 74.4 percent of the vote.

Turner, who captured 68.9 percent of the vote en route to winning a seat on the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, said, “I am looking forward to serving on the Board of Education now that voters have selected me to see that Lumpkin County continues to provide a quality education for all students. I appreciate all that helped me achieve this position.”

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