Tom Cheek

East Cobb Primary Election Results: Birrell wins Cobb Commission District 3 GOP nomination

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East Cobb Primary Election Results
The voting precinct at Eastside Baptist Church. The final hours of primary voting Tuesday were soggy, as a late afternoon rain storm swept through East Cobb. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

UPDATED, 11:30 P.M.:

Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell has fended off a challenge from Tom Cheek to win the Republican primary in District 3.

Birrell received 5,422 votes, or 58.48 percent, to 3,850 votes for Cheek, or 41.52 percent.

That’s with 98 percent of the vote, as tabulated by the Georgia Secretary of State’s office at 11:09 p.m.

In November, Birrell will face Caroline Holko, a first-time candidate, who easily won the Democratic primary. Holko received 5,643 votes, or 80.69 percent, to 1,350 votes for Jim Smith, or 19.31 percent.

Birrell, first elected in 2010, ran on a platform of opposing tax increases, helping spur redevelopment of the Canton Road corridor and working to establish Mabry Park.

Cheek, a critic of former commission chairman Tim Lee for his handling of the Atlanta Braves stadium deal, campaigned for SPLOST reform, reduced county spending and limiting high-density development.

Holko is a home-schooling mother and liberal political advocate who supports greater transit options in Cobb. She also is opposed to cuts for Cobb libraries and senior services. Smith is a retired Cobb-Marietta water system employee who pushed for greater salary increases for county employees.

Disrict 3 includes some of Northeast Cobb, as well as the Town Center and Kennesaw areas and much of the city of Marietta.

Final results in two contested East Cobb-area legislative races are incomplete as of 11:30 p.m., as is the Democratic primary for the 6th Congressional District race, which may be going to a runoff.

In the Democratic primary for the 6th Congressional District, Lucy McBath has 37 percent of the vote, Kevin Abel 33 percent, Bobby Kaple 24 percent and Steven Knight Griffin 5 percent.

But that’s only the advance voting totals and a few precincts reporting in a district that includes East Cobb, North Fulton and North DeKalb. The winner will face U.S. Rep. Karen Handel, a Republican, in November.

There also are only very early results in House District 44, where State Rep. Don Parsons, a Republican, was being challenged by Homer Crothers in GOP balloting.

Parsons had 2,835 votes, or 79.36 percent, to 742 for Crothers, or 20.74 percent. The winner faces Democrat Chinita Allen in November.

In State House District 37, Marietta activist Mary Frances Williams had 1,938 votes, or 70.27 percent, in the Democratic primary. Trailing were Ragin Edwards with 501 votes, or 18.17 percent, and Bill Bolton with 319 votes, or 11.57 percent.

The winner faces Republican incumbent Sam Teasley in November.

More coverage is coming on Wednesday, once the final results are in, as is a detailed look at the District 3 voting.

In Cobb commission District 1 in north and west Cobb, Republican incumbent Bob Weatherford is headed for a runoff against Kelli Gambrill.

In the governor’s race, former Georgia House Minority leader Stacey Abrams easily won the Democratic nomination over Cobb former State Rep. Stacey Evans, by a 76-24 percent margin.

Abrams becomes the first woman to become a major party nominee for Georgia governor, and the first African-American woman nationwide to win a major party nomination for governor.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp appear headed for a runoff in the Republican primary on July 24.

The Georgia Secretary of State’s has state election results that are sortable by race, county and more. Follow this link for Cobb election results.

UPDATED, 10:48 P.M.:

Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell has pulled away from challenger Tom Cheek in the Republican Party primary for District 3, which includes some of Northeast Cobb.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting, she has received 4,909 votes, or 58.61 percent of the vote. Cheek has 3,466 votes, or 41.39 percent.

Caroline Holko is easily winning the Democratic primary with 4,981 votes, or 80.52 percent, to 1,205 votes for Jim Smith, for 19.48 percent.

UPDATED, 9:56 P.M.

Nearly half the vote has been counted in the Cobb Commission District 3 elections.

With 44 percent of precincts reporting, incumbent JoAnn Birrell’s lead in the GOP primary has shrunk only slightly. She has 3,077 votes, or 58.76 percent, to 2,160 votes for Tom Cheek, or 41.24 percent.

Caroline Holko continues to lead easily in the Democratic primary. She has 3,002 votes, or 79.97 percent, to 752 votes for Jim Smith, or 20.03 percent.

UPDATED, 8:53 P.M.

The first results from local Cobb races are being reported. In Cobb Commission District 3, incumbent JoAnn Birrell leads Tom Cheek 60 percent-40 percent in the Republican primary.

Birrell has 761 votes to 496 for Cheek in advance voting totals.

On the Democratic side, Caroline Holko leads James Smith 80-20 percent, or 686 to 168 votes.

UPDATED, 7:36 P.M.

Some advance and absentee voting results are rolling in for statewide offices. Casey Cagle and Brian Kemp are the early leaders in the Republican primary for governor, while Stacey Abrams is leading Stacey Evans on the Democratic side.

ORIGINAL REPORT, POSTED AT 7:01 P.M.:

East Cobb voters went to the polls today to choose party nominees for a variety of offices, including Cobb Commission District 3, the 6th Congressional District, several legislative races and as well as governor and other statewide offices.

The most closely watched race in East Cobb is District 3 on the Cobb Commission, where Republican incumbent JoAnn Birrell is being challenged by Tom Cheek in the GOP primary. The winner will face the winner of the Democratic primary between Jim Smith and Caroline Holko.

A Democratic runoff for the 6th Congressional District seat is possible, with Kevin Abel, Steven Knight Griffin, Bobby Kaple and Lucy McBath vying to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Karen Handel in November.

State Rep. Sharon Cooper, a Republican, was being challenged in the primary by Kevin James, but he was disqualified on Friday.

Voters also chose from a number of non-partisan candidates for various state and local judgeships.

A Republican runoff in the governor’s race is likely, with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp leading in some late polls. On the Democratic side, former state House minority leader Stacey Abrams of Atlanta was leading former State Rep. Stacey Evans of Cobb.

Other races included lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and state labor, insurance, agriculture and public service commissioners, as well as state school superintendent.

Democrats were also voting on straw poll questions on gun bump stock sales, Medicaid expansion, transit funding and an independent redistricting commission.

Turnout was projected to be less than 20 percent across Cobb County.

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Candidates on the Issues: Cobb Commission District 3

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Cobb Commission District 3 map
Cobb Elections map

This is part of a week-long series of posts on East Cobb News about candidates in the May 22 primaries where there are contested party races. This post includes information about those vying for Cobb Commission District 3.

There are two Republicans and two Democrats on the primary ballot. District 3 includes most of Northeast Cobb, the Town Center Mall area and a good bit of the city of Marietta. It has been redrawn since the Republican incumbent, JoAnn Birrell, was first elected in 2010.

JoAnn BIrrell
Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell

Birrell, a former lobbyist and consultant, is seeking her third term. She is touting her record against tax hikes, greater support for public safety and advocating redevelopment of the Canton Road corridor and the creation of Mabry Park.

She voted to cut the millage rate in 2016, and said she does not support raising the property tax millage rate to help solve Cobb estimated $30 million to $55 million budget for fiscal year 2019.

Birrell has advocated for the creation of a special one-cent sales tax earmarked for the Cobb Police Department, similar to what exists for the Cobb Fire Department, with a corresponding reduction in the general fund millage rate. No state legislation for a referendum was submitted.

Last year, Birrell came under fire for proposing the closure of the East Cobb Library, which is on the potential closing list again this year.

Tom Cheek

Her GOP opponent is Tom Cheek, an account manager for a software firm that services the restaurant industry. He recently moved into the district from West Cobb and was a vocal critic of former Cobb commission Chairman Tim Lee regarding his handling of the Atlanta Braves stadium deal.

Cheek has campaigned on reforming SPLOST, reducing county spending and curbing development that doesn’t conform to the land use plan.

He’s also fought the county on reforming the Cobb Medical Examiner’s Office and filed suit against Cobb in 2016, claiming a pedestrian bridge to SunTrust Park was improperly earmarked with 2016 SPLOST funds.

His SPLOST proposal calls for having a referendum to remove what he calls “infeasible” projects on the 2016 SPLOST.

Cheek also opposes TODs, or “transit-oriented developments” along Highway 41 and is skeptical of a state law passed this year creating a new metro Atlanta transit authority.

Caroline Holko
Caroline Holko

At a recent candidates forum, he also said he wants to see more detailed figures about how big the county budget gap really is.

Home-schooling mother Caroline Holko is running as a Democrat, and she admits to having liberal views in what’s regarded as a conservative district.

She supports greater transit options for Cobb citizens and is not opposed to raising the millage rate in paying for services such as libraries and senior services, saying raising the millage rate by 1 mill would cost the owner of a $250,000 home an extra $100 a year.

At a candidates forum this month, she said “I don’t really support any significant budget cuts.” Holko also has asked for an audit of the Cobb Tax Assessors office. She has said her support for a property tax increase is predicated on “realistic property assessments.”

Jim Smith, Cobb Commission District 3 candidate
Jim Smith

Retired Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority manager Jim Smith, who has been involved with the Canton Road Neighors civic group, is the other Democrat, and like Holko he is a first-time candidate.

In the campaign he has been vocal about paying county employees better. “We’re trying to do more with less,” he said at a campaign forum this month. “We’re not giving people a living wage and benefits to keep them here.”

Smith has been critical of Birrell’s and Cheek’s opposition to raising taxes, and on his Facebook page has detailed delays in road repairs as an example of lagging county services due to tight spending.

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Cobb commission District 3 candidates discusses taxes, budget deficits and more at civic forum

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Three of the four Cobb commission District 3 candidates on the May 22 primary ballot turned out Tuesday night for a wide-ranging forum in Marietta, and explained their views on the county budget, spending and taxes, traffic and transit, zoning and development and other issues.

Tom Cheek, Cobb commission District 3 candidates
Tom Cheek

The only candidate not present was the person who currently holds that Northeast Cobb seat. Republican JoAnn Birrell, who is running for her third term, was a no-show at the forum, which was sponsored by the Cobb County Civic Coalition.

The other sitting commissioner seeking re-election, Republican Bob Weatherford of District 1 in West Cobb, also was absent.

The event was moderated by Dick Yarbrough, a columnist for The Marietta Daily Journal.

The two Democratic District 3 candidates, James Smith and Caroline Holko, said they favored raising the millage rate to solve the county’s estimated $30 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2019.

Birrell’s primary opponent, civic activist and software account manager Tom Cheek, who described himself as a “ferocious taxpayer advocate,” said he wants to see more detailed figures about how big the budget gap really is.

“No one has convinced me of the accuracy” of the projected budget deficit, he said in response to an audience question posed to all the candidates. “Until we get a grip on proper budgeting . . . I’m not ready to give up the millage rate we have now.”

Cheek advocates taking unused SPLOST dollars for lower-tier projects and placing them in the general fund budget (via a referendum process), looking to privatize some government functions and getting out of “the parking deck business . . . the golf course business . . . and the [Braves] stadium security business.”

Caroline Holko
Caroline Holko

The Cobb general fund millage rate is currently 6.76, a figure that was lowered in 2016. Birrell, who has said she does not favor increasing property taxes, voted for that reduction.

Smith, a retired Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority manager who’s involved with the Canton Road Neighbors civic group, frequently cited the lack of pay raises and benefits for county workers in his remarks about taxes.

He noted that salaries for Cobb firefighters and police officers are 12 and 17 percent, respectively, below the national average. “We’re trying to do more with less,” he said. “We’re not giving people a living wage and benefits to keep them here.”

While Cobb rightfully touts itself as having one of the lowest tax rates in the metro Atlanta area, Smith said, “but at what cost?”

Cheek also noted that a starting full-time police officer’s salary in Cobb is less than the pay for a part-time county commissioner, and he would work to change that.

Holko, a former non-profit administrator and home-schooling mother with liberal views, admitted she doesn’t come from a “traditional political background” in a conservative district. She advocates more transit options for Cobb citizens, and opposes proposed cuts in the Cobb library system and increases in fees for senior services.

James Smith, Cobb commission District 3 candidates
James Smith

Holko said raising the property tax rate one mill would cost an average Cobb homeowner around $100 more a year. “I can blow that in Target in about five minutes,” she said.

She and her family moved to Cobb from New Orleans several years ago, attracted by the tax rate but also the services they provide.

However, she said, “to watch that continued to be chipped away at is heartbreaking.”

When asked to specify how she would cut the budget, she said “I don’t really support any significant budget cuts.”

Smith said he would like to see the line items in county government departments, and it’s “darn near impossible” to get that information now.

Cobb commission chairman Mike Boyce, a Republican from East Cobb, has suggested a 1.1-mills increase but hasn’t released a full budget proposal. He’s scheduled budget town hall meetings for next month, with budget adoption in July.

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On the subject of transit, Holko urged the marketing budget for CobbLinc be increased “so people know it exists.”

Smith said that “whatever we do needs to go to a referendum.” Cheek is more doubtful increasing transit, citing heavy costs and a small ridership for commuting. He’s also skeptical of a new state law to create a new Atlanta-area regional transit authority.

The candidates agreed on the need for greater transparency and on zoning and development and sticking to the land use plan, and concurred that stipulation letters agreed to by developers should not be used to circumvent the county code.

District 1 challengers Kelli Gambrill and Forrest Shealy also participated in the forum.

Advance voting began in Cobb on Monday, and continues through May 18.

 

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Cobb commission candidates forum slated for Tuesday

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This week may be your only occasion to hear all Cobb commission candidates in one place, in both parties, before the May 22 primaries.

There’s a forum sponsored by the Cobb County Civic Coalition Tuesday, and Democratic and Republican candidates for District 3 in Northeast Cobb and District 1 in North Cobb have been invited to attend. Cobb County Civic Coalition, Cobb commission candidates forum

The forum lasts from 7-9 p.m. and will be held on the second floor of the Cobb government building, 100 Cherokee St., in downtown Marietta.

That’s the meeting room for the Cobb Board of Commissioners, and if you can’t attend the forum it will be shown on the Cobb government access channel, TV 23 for Comcast subscribers.

The District 3 seat is being contested in both parties. Republican incumbent JoAnn Birrell is seeking her third term.

She is being opposed by Tom Cheek, a civic activist who filed ethics complaints against former Cobb commission chairman Tim Lee for his handling of the Atlanta Braves stadium deal. A software account manager, Cheek is a first-time candidate for public office.

On the Democratic side, two first-time candidates are running as well: retired Cobb water system employee James Smith, and Caroline Holko, a stay-at-home mother.

Here are the District 3 candidates websites:

Advance voting for the primaries begins on Monday, and Cobb Elections is looking for poll workers to help out on May 22 and beyond.

Here’s a rundown on East Cobb-area public offices that will be on the ballot, and we’ll have more shortly on those races that have contested primaries.

 

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East Cobb Elections Qualifying: Birrell, state legislators have primary foes

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Qualifying for 2018 state, federal and local races is ending on Friday, and in East Cobb a number of incumbents will have party opposition in the May 22 primary.

JoAnn Birrell
District 3 commissioner JoAnn Birrell

The most-watched race figures to be the District 3 seat on the Cobb Board of Commissioners. Republican incumbent JoAnn Birrell has qualified, and is being opposed in the primary by Tom Cheek, who recently moved into the Northeast Cobb district.

Cheek, a software account manager, is campaigning on a platform favoring low taxes and reduced spending to solve the Cobb government budget deficit, and opposes high-density development. He stepped into the public spotlight after filing ethics complaints against former Cobb commission chairman Tim Lee for his handling of the Atlanta Braves stadium deal.

Tom Cheek, Cobb commission candidate
Tom Cheek

Birrell has served as District 3 representative since 2011, when she succeeded Lee, and has been highly visible in the community. She has been active with Keep Cobb Beautiful, the Northeast Cobb Business Association and Superior Pets for Patriotic Pets. She also was a strong advocate for the creation of Mabry Park, which recently began construction.

The Democrats to qualify are retiree James Smith and Caroline Holko, a stay-at-home mother.

Congress

First-term U.S. Rep. Karen Handel is the only Republican to qualify for the Georgia 6th District seat that includes East Cobb.

Lucy McBath, Georgia 6th Congressional District candidate
Lucy McBath

Handel, elected last June to succeed Tom Price in a special election, will await the winner of a four-way Democratic primary in May. She won’t be facing Jon Ossoff, whom she beat last summer in the most expensive Congressional election in history. He has opted not to run for a seat that also includes north Fulton and north and central DeKalb.

The Democratic candidates include Bobby Kaple, a former news anchor at CBS 46, technology consultant Kevin Abel, management consultant Steven Knight Griffin and gun-control advocate Lucy McBath, a former Delta flight attendant who lives in East Cobb.

Her son, Jordan Davis, was shot and killed in 2012 at a gas station in Jacksonville, Fla., by another motorist in an altercation over loud music. The killer received life in prison. McBath had intended to run for the Georgia legislature but changed her filing to Congress after the deadly Feb. 14 school shootings in Parkland, Fla.

Georgia legislature

There will be a rematch of last year’s special election in State Senate District 32. Incumbent Republican Kay Kirkpatrick, a retired orthopedic surgeon, will be opposed by her 2017 opponent, Democratic attorney Christine Triebsch, in November. The district covers most of East Cobb and part of north Fulton.

State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick
State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick

In State House District 37, incumbent Sam Teasley is the only Republican to qualify. The Democratic primary will include computer consultant Bill Bolden, social worker Mary Frances Williams and sales manager Ragin Edwards.

Longtime Republican State Rep. Sharon Cooper of District 43 has a Republican opponent in Kevin W. James, who owns a media production company in East Cobb. The lone Democrat to qualify is Luisa Wakeman, a flight attendant.

Don Parsons, incumbent in State House District 44, also has opposition from retiree Homer Crothers in the GOP primary. Chinita Allen, a teacher at Chalker Elementary School, has qualified as a Democrat.

State Rep. John Carson
State Rep. John Carson

In State House District 45, Republican incumbent Matt Dollar will not have a primary challenger. His Democratic opponent in November will be Essence Johnson, a human resources and operations manager.

Another East Cobb legislative seat also will pit a Republican incumbent against a Democratic foe in November. District 46 State Rep. John Carson has qualified and will face Karín Sandiford, a technology consultant and entrepreneur.

Cobb school board

Two of the three East Cobb members on the Cobb Board of Education are up for re-election this year. In Post 6, two-term Republican incumbent Scott Sweeney, who represents the Walton, Wheeler and part of the Campbell high school attendance zones, has qualified and has no primary opposition. His general election opponent in November will be Democrat Charisse Davis of Smyrna, a public librarian and former school teacher.

Charisse Davis, Cobb Board of Education candidate
Charisse Davis

Republican David Chastain of Post 4 in Northeast Cobb has qualified to run for a second term and has not drawn any party opposition in an area that includes the Kell and Sprayberry attendance zones.

His Democratic opponent in November will be Cynthia Parr.

Judgeships

Several Cobb judicial posts will also be decided this year in non-partisan elections.

Three Cobb Superior Court posts are up for election this year, and incumbents Ann Harris, Robert Leonard and Robert Flournoy are the only qualifiers.

For Cobb State Court Judge Div. 2, Post 4 incumbent Bridgette Campell is the only candidate to qualify. The same goes for incumbent Post 3 judge Henry Thompson and Jason Fincher in Post 1. The only candidate qualifying for State Court Judge Post 5 is incumbent David Darden.

Republican incumbent Cobb Solicitor General Barry Morgan is the lone qualifier for that office, which prosecutes cases in State Court.

 

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Cobb public safety tax referendum proposal approved by commissioners

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JoAnn Birrell, Cobb public safety tax referendum
Northeast Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell voted for a resolution requesting the Georgia General Assembly authorize a November referendum for a Cobb public safety sales tax (East Cobb News file photo).

By a 3-2 vote Tuesday night, a Cobb public safety tax referendum proposal was approved by the Board of Commissioners.

That means their resolution will be submitted to the Georgia legislature, which must authorize a local referendum to take place. Cobb wants the referendum scheduled for November.

The referendum proposal would collect a permanent penny sales tax for public safety costs that county officials say would generate $130 million a year.

Cobb’s six cities would get $34 million of that revenue, and the county would get the remaining $96 million, which would fund all public safety functions except the Cobb Sheriff’s Office.

The sales tax revenue would be used for general operating expenses, including salaries and benefits, as well as capital costs, such as new vehicles and equipment.

The tax would be collected only if Cobb voters approved a referendum.

Cobb currently collects six cents on every dollar in sales taxes.

Voting against the resolution was District 2 commissioner Bob Ott of East Cobb, who wanted the resolution to clarify what would happen with the left-over money in the general fund no longer being used for public safety purposes.

“There’s no discussion here of what happens to the millage in the general fund,” Ott said at a work session on Monday. “This is a tax increase otherwise.”

North Cobb commissioner Bob Weatherford, who is proposing the sales tax, said the board has the flexibility to roll back the property tax millage rate if it chooses.

That wasn’t enough of an assurance for Ott, who supports taking public safety spending out of the general fund but who reiterated his objections right before the vote.

District 3 commissioner JoAnn Birrell of Northeast Cobb supported the resolution, citing the high priority of public safety. “We have to put our money where our mouth is.”

The resolution was opposed by Lance Lamberton of the Cobb Taxpayers Association, who claimed the county doesn’t have a revenue problem but “a spending problem.”

Another sales tax, he said, “will amount to a very large tax increase on our citizens.”

Also sounding off on the vote Tuesday was Tom Cheek, a civic activist who has announced he’s running against Birrell in the Republican primary for District 3 this year.

Cheek wrote on his Facebook page that “by using the false flag of ‘Public Safety’ and the false promise of ‘we will lower your property taxes,’ the BOC took a huge step away from accountability.”

The other opposing vote on the board was Lisa Cupid of South Cobb, who referenced the county’s current budget challenges, with a projected fiscal year 2019 deficit between $30 million and $55 million.

“It’s hard to get our arms around a big gaping hole that’s affecting how everything functions in the county now,” she said.

 

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