Qualifying has begun for the House District 75 race to replace former Rep. Mike Glanton.
Herman “Drew” Andrews and Eric Bell qualified Wednesday morning for the special election, which will take place on March 21.
The Clayton Crescent was there as Andrews filed his paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Elections Office and set up his account with the State Ethics and Transparency website, and as Bell held a strictly choreographed announcement with family, friends, and supporters on the Capitol steps.
Andrews, who was first to qualify, said he wants to be a voice for Clayton County. He has run for the seat twice before, in 2016 and 2022.
“I’m running because I imagine a Clayton County where opportunity for all people is the common denominator that bridges the equity gap between community growth and development,” Andrew told The Clayton Crescent.
Andrews said he was heartened by the large turnout at the Clayton County Sheriff Candidate Forum on Tuesday night, and that it showed voters in Clayton County were paying attention.
Bell, who has run for Georgia Senate 34 and Clayton County Commission District 3 in 2016, said he has Glanton’s “blessing” in the race.
Bell said he is running because of escalating gun violence in our community, youth access to guns, and poverty affecting young people and seniors. He also said he favors a citizen review board for law enforcement: “Oh, I love that,” he told The Clayton Crescent, adding that he had put copies of the City of Atlanta’s police review board information in every Clayton County commissioner’s mailbox.
As far as getting rid of special units, he said, he would leave that up to law enforcement officials.
Also present at Bell’s announcement was Jonesboro City Council candidate Alfred Dixon.
