Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - Democrats kicked off this week's qualifying period by bringing in war veterans to take on four Republican incumbents in Congress, including U.S. Rep. John Linder, R-Duluth.

But much of the day Monday, at least in Gwinnett, was reserved for incumbents seeking another term in office.

In addition to Linder and his Democratic challenger Doug Heckman, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Atlanta, whose district includes Lilburn and Norcross, filed paperwork to seek a second term.

Some of Gwinnett's longest serving officers filed paperwork Monday, including District Attorney Danny Porter, Sheriff Butch Conway, Tax Commissioner Katherine Sherrington, Clerk of Court Tom Lawler and School Board Member Louise Radloff.

While several House seats are expected to be contested this election season, the only competition set up so far is a Republican match-up between incumbent Bobby Reese and Suwanee man David Hancock.

Two candidates have entered the District 1 Commission race - Republicans Bruce LeVell and Carol Hassell - although at least one more candidate has declared interest in the race.

No one filed for local office with the Gwinnett Democratic Party Monday, but Chairman Mike Berlon said he expects some candidates to file paperwork today.

The qualifying period continues through Friday.

Staff Writer Christy Smith contributed to this story

SideBar: Qualifying list

The following people qualified Monday for state offices to represent Gwinnett or Barrow counties:

U.S. Representative, District 4 Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, D (i)

U.S. Representative, District 7

Doug Heckman, D

U.S. Representative, District 7

John Linder, R (i)

State Senator, District 40

Dan Weber, R (i)

State Senator, District 41

Steve Henson, D (i)

State Senator, District 45

Renee Unterman, R (i)

State Senator, District 48

David Shafer, R (i)

State Representative, District 31

Tommy Benton, R (i)

State Representative, District 51

Tom Rice, R (i)

State Representative, District 88

Billy Mitchell, D (i)

State Representative, District 95

George Wilson, D

State Representative, District 96

Pedro "Pete" Marin, D (i)

State Representative, District 97

Brooks Coleman, R (i)

State Representative, District 98

David Hancock, R

State Representative, District 98

Bobby Reese, R (i)

State Representative, District 99

Hugh Floyd, D (i)

State Representative, District 100

Brian Thomas, D (i)

State Representative, District 101

Mike Coan, R (i)

State Representative, District 102

Clay Cox, R (i)

State Representative, District 105

Donna Sheldon, R (i)

State Representative, District 106

Melvin Everson, R (i)

State Representative, District 108

Terry England, R (i)

District Attorney, Gwinnett Circuit

Daniel J. "Danny" Porter, R (i)

District Attorney, Piedmont Circuit

Richard Bridgeman, R (i)

District Attorney, Piedmont Circuit

Brad Smith, R

The following people qualified for the Republican ballot for Gwinnett's local offices. No one filed for local offices with the Democratic Party Monday.

Chief Magistrate

George Hutchinson (i)

Tax Commissioner

Katherine Sherrington (i)

Sheriff

Butch Conway (i)

Clerk of Superior Court

Thomas Lawler (i)

Probate Judge

Walter J. Clarke (i)

Board of Commissioners, District 1

Bruce LeVell

Board of Commissioners, District 1

Carol Hassell

Board of Commissioners, District 3

Mike Beaudreau (i)

Board of Commissioners, chairman

Lorraine Green

Board of Education, District 1

Carole Boyce (i)

Board of Education, District 5

Louise Radloff (i)

Sixteen people, more than half of those incumbents, qualified for the Republican ballot for Barrow County's local offices. Records of Democratic qualifying were unavailable at press time.

Board of Commissioners District 1

Jerry Lampp (i)

Board of Commissioners District 1

Larry Joe Wilburn

Board of Commissioners District 2

Bill Brown (i)

Board of Commissioners District 2

Eva Elder

Board of Commissioners District 3

Steve Worley

Chief Magistrate

June Davis (i)

Coroner

David Crosby (i)

Clerk of Superior Court

Lois Riner Bernius

Clerk of Superior Court

Regina Brock McIntyre

Probate Court Judge

Tammy Brown (i)

School Board District 5

Lynn Stevens (i)

School Board District 6

Rickey Bailey (i)

School Board District 8 (At-Large)

Mitch Churchill (i)

Sheriff

Murray Kogod

Sheriff

Jud Smith

Tax Commissioner

Melinda Williams (i)