2026 Georgia Primary Election

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Nonpartisan

Republican

2026 Georgia Primary Runoff

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Dennis Bell seeking seat on Stephens County Board of Commissioners

Dennis Howard Bell is from Eastanollee, Georgia. Dennis lives with his wife, Cherilyn, in Toccoa, Georgia.

Dennis H Bell (Stephens County Sheriff, Georgia, candidate 2024) - Ballotpedia

Bell announces 2024 run for SC Sheriff

Dennis previously served on the Stephens County Commission. He served three terms from 2012 to 2024. Dennis previously ran for Stephens County Sheriff in 2024, but did not win.

Franklin County Sheriff Chief Investigator Dennis Bell Named President of Peace Officers Assn of Georgia

Dennis currently works as the president and executive director for the Peace Officers' Association of Georgia. He previously worked in law enforcement, including as the chief of police for the Comer Police Department, a jailer and dispatcher for the Stephens County Sheriff's Office, and a sheriff's deputy for Stephens County.

As of March 11, 2026, Dennis Howard Bell did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Believes strict enforcement of laws is important.

- Believes strict enforcement of laws is important.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Dennis Howard Bell

Jennifer Pike

Rafael Perez

Walter Ley

Jayson Garner is from Toccoa, Georgia. He attended Stephens County High School. He lives with his wife, Crystal. 

Jayson's campaign for Stephens County Commission is his first run for public office. 

As of March 11, 2026, Jayson Darrin Garner did not have a website or any information online.

Jayson Darrin Garner

Emileigh Crouch

Hotard & Hise Attorneys at Law

Tara Simmons is from Toccoa, Georgia. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science and English from Clemson University and her law degree from the Charleston School of Law. She volunteers with the Toccoa-Stephens County Human Shelter and the Paul Anderson Memorial Park Board. 

Tara D. Simmons (Stephens County Commission, District 1, Georgia, candidate 2022)

Tara currently serves as a Stephen County commissioner. She was first elected in 2022 and is serving her first term. 

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Tara currently works as a partner at Hotard and Hise, Attorneys at Law. She previously worked as an attorney at The Pickett Law Firm and the Reardon Law Group, an associate judge with the Stephens County Probate Court, and a real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

As of March 11, 2026, Tara Simmons did not have a website or any information online.

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Tara Simmons

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county

Stephens County Commissioner, Republican Primary

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (3)