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ZEBULON - Three candidates have qualified to run for the County Commissioner District 3 seat on the Republican ballot on May 21, 2024: Todd Child (Challenger), Ken Pullin (Challenger), and Doyle Jason Proctor (Incumbent). Candidates are listed in the order that they qualified for office.
Pike County Times contacted each candidate and requested the following: "Please send a 500 word or less statement about why you're running for office and why you're the best candidate to editor@pikecountytimes.com so I can print it on an election information page. Please include your contact information, website, etc. [Note from the Editor: PLEASE NOTE: I will not be printing anything that says anything about your opponents. This is strictly why you are the best candidate for whatever office you're running for.]"
As of April 13, 2024, two of the candidates have replied to this request for voter information. The third candidate is welcome to send in his information at any time to be included on this election information page.
Todd Child (Challenger)
People. That’s what Pike County is all about. As I travel around the district greeting people, I am afforded the opportunity to meet folks from all walks of life. Every single one has greeted me with kindness and each doing the best they can with what they have.I love listening to their stories of growing up in Pike County or their love of horses. I love hearing about all the classic automobiles that I catch a glimpse of sticking out of garages. It all helps me understand the people I hope to represent. I find myself disappointed when someone is not at home. I wonder what story I am missing out on. At times, my visits have lasted anywhere from 10 minutes to even thirty to forty minutes. I am not just checking off a box when I pull into a driveway. I actually love it. And besides, it’s my job to listen to the people.
A lot of the conversation falls back on why I am running for the board of commissioners and what my vision is for Pike County. I tell them I did not seek this office. I was asked by some concerned citizens if I would be willing to run. As I always do, I like to be well-informed before making any decision. I told them to give me about four weeks to decide.
After calling the state offices, speaking with the local authorities, and talking with my employer, I decided to give it a go. Once I decided to run, I was going to, like I always do things, go all in.
This should tell you I am not running to build a resume or pad my ego. On the contrary. I am doing this because I genuinely care about the people of Pike.
My vision for Pike is the same as most of the people I speak with in my district. I want Pike County to stay a rural county. I love driving the back roads and seeing the farmland and forested acres. I enjoy looking from the back porch of century old houses and seeing a forest of trees beyond the fenced in pastures.
I know people want to move to Pike County to live in a place like this. I don’t want to tell them they can’t have a piece of what I have. I don’t want to tell someone they can’t sell their land to developers. I do, however, think we can control how Pike grows and the rate in which it grows.
I also get asked the age-old question: What about taxes? Fair enough. When it comes to the budget and raising taxes, I ask myself one question. Will I be able to look that single mom struggling to make ends meet straight in the eye and tell her that there is absolutely no way we can avoid raising taxes. Because if there is any way to keep from doing that, then we darn well better do it.
toddchild4pike@gmail.com
Ken Pullin (Challenger)
Former Republican State Representative Ken Pullin announces his plan to run for County Commissioner for District 3 in Pike County.While serving in the Georgia House of Representatives, Representative Pullin was ranked one of the most conservative members of the House in both 2019 and 2020. He co-sponsored the following legislation: Constitutional Carry, the Heartbeat Bill, a bill for banning sanctuary cities in Georgia, 8 year term limits for both House and Senate members, and legislation to urge all school districts in Georgia to have an EMT present at full-contact sporting events. Representative Pullin also worked closely with Pike County government agencies to pass multiple local legislation bills.
“I’ve always thought the most important elected position in Government is our locally elected officials. I plan on working closely with our citizens and county commissioners to ensure Pike County spends every single taxpayer dollar in the most prudent and conservative way. As a county, we have many opportunities and challenges ahead of us and it’s critical for us to work together to meet both. I will work to ensure our county remains a great place to live and raise a family. I also believe strongly in open and transparent government, constituent services, honest communication, and that every single phone call and email should be answered."
Ken and his wife Shelby have two children, Luke and Libby. The Pullins are members of Rock Springs Church.
Ken can be reached at kenwpullin@gmail.com.
Closing
If one of these three candidates does not receive over 50% of the vote, there will be a Primary Runoff on June 18, 2024.
The winner of the General Primary will either go into or remain in office on January 1, 2025 since there is no Democratic challenger in this race.
For more information about the May 21, 2024 election including early voting dates and times, Saturday voting, and how to obtain an absentee ballot, go to: pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSelection2024info.html.
Not sure of whose district you are in? Go to your My Voter Page. and log in to check your information.
Here is a link to the new Board of Commissioners map: www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/2022PikeCountyCommissionFinalMap.pdf.
Know what district you’re in but need to know who the current representative is? www.pikecoga.com/board-of-commissioners.html.