Alpharetta-Milton Election Guide

As we look ahead to this year's elections, Alpharetta-Milton Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in the area. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as elections draw near. Bookmark this page for updates.

TSPLOST: To say that the penny sales tax for transportation projects across the region is polarizing is an understatement. Voters will vote "yes" or "no" for it on July 31. Proponents say "There is no Plan B" to fund much-needed projects that will alleviate traffic congestion, while opponents say the tax isn't about congestion relief at all, among other things. 

: Three non-partisan seats on the Fulton County Board of Education are up for election this summer, but only one is in North Fulton. Linda G. Shultz, the incumbent in District 1, will face a challenge by Robert Goodman.

: Five Democrats are seeking the Sheriff's office in Fulton County, with a retired chief of police, a sheriff's deputy, a retired sheriff and minister, and a sales professional all having qualified. Theodore "Ted" Jackson of Alpharetta is the incumbent.

: Anyone owning property thinks of the Tax Commissioner's office as they get their tax bill and pay their taxes. This year, Fulton voters choose between the incumbent and two challengers, all Democrats. And one of them, John Jamont, is from Johns Creek. He says he is in favor of open government, and wants to make the process for residents easy to understand.

Chip Rogers vs. Brandon Beach: It's the incumbent vs. the challenger in the Republican primary, with both men living in a much-changed Senate Distrct 21. After TSPLOST, I call this the election to watch. Beach, an Alpharetta resident, hasn't moved, but he's new to the district with redistricting caused by Georgia's population boom. Rogers, the incumbent from Woodstock, has to seek North Fulton votes for the first time as the district crept east. Beach is a chamber president and GDOT board member, while Rogers has been serving as Senate Majority Leader.

State Sen. Johns Albers: A Democrat from Roswell, Akhtar Sadiq, has thrown his hat into the ring for the state Senate District 56 seat, guaranteeing a challenge for Albers, the Republican incumbent. Albers represents District 56, a with part of it in Alpharetta. Meanwhile, Alpharetta and Milton's other representatives in the state legislature won't face opponents.  Milton's Jan Jones, the Speaker Pro Tempore of the House, runs unopposed for her District 46 seat. Alpharetta's Chuck Martin, R-47, also has no opposition in either the July 31 primary or the November general election this year, so I'm close to calling those races.