2024 Georgia General Elections

2024 GA Primary Election

2024 GA Primary Election Runoff

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Now Habersham, Harkness announces bid for second term

Bruce received an Associate of Arts in social sciences from Truett McConnell University, a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences from Piedmont University, a Master's degree in social studies from the University of North Georgia, and a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School. He is a father and grandfather.

Bruce is an attorney at Harkness Law Firm, practicing primarily in personal injury, wrongful death, criminal defense, and Nursing home abuse. He previously worked as an Agent with the Georgia Farm Bureau and a High School History Teacher.

Bruce Harkness is the Habersham County Commissioner for District 4. He was elected to this position in 2020 and has served one term.

As of March 23, 2024, Bruce Harkness did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Prioritizes keeping taxes low, spending state funds wisely, and very sparingly use taxpayer funds. 

- Prioritizes keeping taxes low, spending state funds wisely, and very sparingly use taxpayer funds. 

Economy

Education

Public Safety

Wants to develop a plan to foster economic growth, noting the water and sewer systems bust be able to be sufficient enough to attract businesses and industry to the area, in an effort to ensure local youth can reside in Habersham County long-term. 

- Wants to develop a plan to foster economic growth, noting the water and sewer systems bust be able to be sufficient enough to attract businesses and industry to the area, in an effort to ensure local youth can reside in Habersham County long-term. 

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Bruce Harkness

Bruce is an attorney at Harkness Law Firm. He practices in areas of law like personal injury, wrongful death, and criminal defense.

Bruce Harkness is currently a Habersham County Commissioner. He was elected in 2020 and has served one term.

As of March 23, 2024, Bruce Harkness did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

- Said that it is "important to keep taxes low, to keep spending within reason and be frugal with taxpayers’ money."

- Said, "We need to have a plan for this future growth that is coming. And we also need to prepare for water and sewer to meet the needs of potential industry and businesses that could come to our county to offer jobs to our children and grandchildren so they won’t have to leave the county."

The Northeast Georgian, COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4: Rhodes wants to invest in youth

Wade received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Georgia State University. He was the first chairman of Partnership Habersham and a former member of the Archway committee for Habersham County.

Wade is a commercial realtor at the Norton Agency, and previously owned Mrs. Rhodes Bakery. 

Wade Rhodes's campaign for Habersham County Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

Said, "We have to make sure our environment is clean. We have growth coming up 365 and the next five years are critical. You are not going to stop the growth, you have to manage the growth."

- Said, "We have to make sure our environment is clean. We have growth coming up 365 and the next five years are critical. You are not going to stop the growth, you have to manage the growth."

Believes county citizens have a moral responsibility to put forth effort into ensuring the youth stay in Habersham county long-term, mentioning "good jobs" must be available. 

- Believes county citizens have a moral responsibility to put forth effort into ensuring the youth stay in Habersham county long-term, mentioning "good jobs" must be available. 

As of March 23, 2024, Wade Rhodes did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to invest funds towards initiatives aiming to reduce youth incarceration, rather than investing in improving the county jail. 

- Wants to invest funds towards initiatives aiming to reduce youth incarceration, rather than investing in improving the county jail. 

Believes county properties and buildings are undervalued, stating "There has been so much residential growth that the tax assessors have focused on that and ignored the commercial. Buildings at least need to be on the books for what they sell for. We are leaving money on the table and the homeowners are paying the bill."

- Believes county properties and buildings are undervalued, stating "There has been so much residential growth that the tax assessors have focused on that and ignored the commercial. Buildings at least need to be on the books for what they sell for. We are leaving money on the table and the homeowners are paying the bill."

Wade Rhodes

Wade received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Georgia State University.

Wade is a commercial realtor at the Norton Agency. He previously owned Mrs. Rhodes Bakery for 22 years. Wade was also the first chairman of Partnership Habersham and a member of the Archway committee for Habersham County.

- Said, "I think we have a moral obligation to make sure this community is protected and prepared for those young people to make a decision about staying here and raising their families. We have to make sure we have good jobs."

As of March 23, 2024, Wade Rhodes did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

- Said, "Why don’t we invest more money in our youth to keep them out of jail in the first place? Our system is screwed up in my book. We are talking about making the jail bigger and getting more beds when we should be talking about fixing kids first."

- Said, "There are so many commercial properties that are undervalued. There has been so much residential growth that the tax assessors have focused on that and ignored the commercial. Buildings at least need to be on the books for what they sell for. We are leaving money on the table and the homeowners are paying the bill."

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county

Habersham County Commissioner, Republican Primary

Election results

Candidates (2)