By Mark Millican
markmillican@daltoncitizen.com
Jeremy Callaway has qualified as a write-in candidate for the Murray County sole commissioner race in the Nov. 4 election.
Former Eton mayor Greg Hogan, who won the Democratic primary over current sole commissioner Jim Welch, faces Republican David Ridley in that race.
Callaway calls himself a “centrist” and an “independent” who believes there needs to be a balance in government.
“I feel like we need to work together and work hard on the job situation and bring in more manufacturing, to diversity manufacturing,” he said. “We’ve got one leg we’re standing on and got a bad knee now. I’d like to bring more manufacturing not related to housing. I want to keep those jobs we have, but bring in more that are not affected by the housing market.”
In a press release, Callaway said he wants to “research and locate manufacturing companies that are looking for potential building sites, that could benefit from the work force and resources of Murray County. So we can allow them to see just what Murray County has to offer, in the hopes of convincing them to invest here.”
“Diversity will build a more stable economy in Murray County for our future,” he said.
Callahan said he “paid a lot of attention to the local forums (before the primaries). After listening to all the answers, I formed my own ideas and decided to become a write-in candidate.”
Callaway said his campaign has involved “knocking on doors” five to six days a week.
“I’ve handed out 1,300 cards so far, and I have 3,700 in stock I will hand out,” he said. “I hope to buy more, and I’m doing homemade signs.”
Callaway’s Web site (http://www.jeremycallawaycampaign.com/) says he earned a degree in management from Dalton State College and worked at Beaulieu of America from 2002 until 2007, leaving as a quality assurance coordinator after cutbacks in salaried employees.
“There is no fee for a write-in candidate,” said Connie Winkler with the elections and registrars office. “He went through the process of getting an affidavit and publishing it in the newspaper, so he is qualified as a write-in candidate — he can advertise as much as he wants, but his name will not appear on the ballot.”
The fee for a candidate whose name will appear on the ballot is $2,106.83. Callaway must also file campaign finance and campaign contribution disclosure forms.
