SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — Effingham County Commissioner Roger Burdette will face a Republican primary challenger in the May 19 election, while two county commission seats will see Democratic challengers in November, setting up competitive local contests that could shape the county’s leadership.

“Both parties expressed to me their excitement that there will be competition among the parties this year,” said Laura Bassett, Effingham County’s director of elections and registrations. “I'm happy to see there are candidates on both sides of the ballot for Effingham voters.”

The winner of the District 2 Republican primary between Burdette and attorney Shelley Payne will face Democratic challenger Darlene L. Ainsworth in November, while incumbent Jamie DeLoach, representing District 3, will also face a Democratic opponent, Scott Hoffman, in the general election. These matchups ensure that Effingham County voters will have choices in multiple commission races this year, marking one of the more competitive election cycles in recent memory.

Candidate qualifying wrapped up today for the primary, which also includes school board, state legislative, and other local races. Bassett said the non-partisan races will be decided in May. Voters must be registered by April 20 to participate.

Here’s a look at the candidates who have officially qualified, according to Bassett’s office:

State Races

• State House District 159: Jon G. Burns – Republican, Agribusiness (Incumbent) – 2-year term
• State House District 161: William W. Hitchens Jr – Republican, Retired (Incumbent) – 2-year term
• Solicitor General: Spencer D. Tyson – Republican, Lawyer – 4-year term

County Board of Education (Nonpartisan)

• District 1: Daulton Kerry-Herbert Harris – Financial Advisor – 4-year term
• District 1: Lynn Anderson – Manager / Nurse (Incumbent) – 4-year term
• District 4: Ben Johnson – Real Estate Broker (Incumbent) – 4-year term

County Commission

District 2: Darlene L. Ainsworth – Democrat, Retired – 4-year term
District 2: Michelle Payne – Republican, Attorney – 4-year term
District 2: Roger Burdette – Republican, Logistics (Incumbent) – 4-year term
District 3: Scott Hoffman – Democrat, Logistics – 4-year term
District 3: Jamie DeLoach – Republican, Commercial Banker (Incumbent) – 4-year term
District 5: N. Phillip Kieffer – Republican, General Contractor (Incumbent) – 4-year term

Guyton City Council – Post 2 (Nonpartisan)

Hursula Wallace Pelote – Retired Teacher – 4-year term
Mary Ellen Connely-Woods – Homemaker / Part-time Retail Manager – 4-year term