Augusta Commission elects interim commissioner, debates JBA and ...

Tanya is a consultant and the owner of TM Consultants. She previously spent 17 years in media sales.

Tanya is currently the District 4 Commissioner for Augusta-Richmond County. She was appointed to the position in July 2025 to serve as an interim commissioner. Tanya previously ran for the same seat in 2007 but did not win.

Public Services

Supports economic development that benefits both small businesses and large employers.

- Supports economic development that benefits both small businesses and large employers.

Economy

As of September 3, 2025, Tanya Barnhill-Turnley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Supports improving infrastructure and road safety for local neighborhoods.

- Supports improving infrastructure and road safety for local neighborhoods.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Tanya Barnhill-Turnley

Tanya is currently the District 4 Commissioner for Augusta-Richmond County. She was appointed to the position in July 2025 and is serving her first term. Tanya previously ran for the same seat in 2007 but did not win.

As of September 3, 2025, Tanya Barnhill-Turnley did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to address public safety, economic development, and improving infrastructure in the district.

Buket Urgen

LinkedIn

Candidate website

Lonnie Wimberly holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from Fayetteville State University, a master's degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University, and a. master's of business administration degree from Brenau University. He served as president of the Richmond County Neighborhood Associations Alliance and the Walton Farms Neighborhood Association, chairperson of the Citizens’ Small Business Advisory Board, and as a member of the Augusta Charter Review Committee (CRC). 

Lonnie works as a deputy director for Richmond County. He previously worked as a construction manager and superintendent for the county. He served as a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army for 30 years. 

Candidates qualify for local elections in Richmond, Columbia counties

Lonnie's campaign for Richmond County Commissioner, District 4 is his first entry into politics.

Agenda Public Noctice News Media, August 5, 2025

As a member of the Augusta Charter Review Committee (CRC), proposed a motion amending the county charter to transition from a County Administrator model to a County Manager model.

Proposed  granting the Mayor authority to appoint and remove the County Manager and County Attorney.

Proposed a motion clarifying managerial authority so the County Manager reports directly to the Mayor and may appoint or remove department heads.

Proposed a motion defining the Mayor’s role as the city’s chief policy advocate and ensuring laws and ordinances are properly enforced and  modernizing executive oversight by adopting a County Manager framework for more efficient and accountable governance.

- As a member of the Augusta Charter Review Committee (CRC), proposed a motion amending the county charter to transition from a County Administrator model to a County Manager model.
- Proposed  granting the Mayor authority to appoint and remove the County Manager and County Attorney.
- Proposed a motion clarifying managerial authority so the County Manager reports directly to the Mayor and may appoint or remove department heads.
- Proposed a motion defining the Mayor’s role as the city’s chief policy advocate and ensuring laws and ordinances are properly enforced and  modernizing executive oversight by adopting a County Manager framework for more efficient and accountable governance.

As of September 3, 2025, Lonnie Wimberly’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Lonnie Wimberly

Lonnie Wimberly's campaign for Richmond County Commissioner, District 4 is his first entry into politics.

As of September 3, 2025, Lonnie Wimberly did not have a website or any information online.

Walter Ley

Believes the main reason for the backlog in demolitions is lack of funding.

- 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.