DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The Lumpkin County Republican Party will host a debate Feb. 11 featuring at least three candidates who will attempt to become state GOP Chairman. The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the Lumpkin County Park and Recreation Building’s Heritage Room.

Among those expected to participate are John Watson, former chief of staff to Gov. Sonny Perdue, Michael McNeely, former vice-chair of the Georgia GOP and top surrogate for Donald Trump, and Mike Welsh, former chairman of the Columbia County Republican Party. Alex Johnson has been invited but has not confirmed yet.

Current party chairman John Padgett will not run for another term.

Watson is considered an establishment candidate and will have strong support from that wing of the GOP. He has served on the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce boards. He was also a strong supporter of Ohio Governor John Kasich which could work against him. The Tea Party and more conservative Republicans made establishment Republicans their second target of choice, right behind Hillary Clinton during last year’s presidential election.

Conservatives may be more inclined to support McNeely because of his anti-establishment credentials and strong and early support for President Donald Trump. As the ranking African- American in the Georgia GOP he could help attract black voters, something the party has struggled to do for years.

This is not Johnson’s first rodeo. He has tried twice before to win the GOP leadership.

Others who are rumored to be testing the waters include Martha Zoller an aide to Sen. David Perdue, Scott Johnson and Mansell McCord.