Buford cancels city election after candidate’s disqualification

Buford has cancelled its November election after disqualifying a candidate from the city’s only contested race.

Gary A. Ingram, a 53-year-old truck driver who had hoped to challenge longtime city commissioner L. Chris Burge, was disqualified earlier this week after the city found he was a convicted felon and ruled that he wasn't technically a Buford resident.

Burge, who has been on the city commission for 25 years and never faced a contested election, had no other challengers.

Buford’s three other local races in the Nov. 7 election were also uncontested. Brad Weeks will replace Michael Smith on the city commission, and incumbents Bruce Fricks and Pat Pirkle will remain on the city’s school board.

Gwinnett has no countywide races this year.

MYAJC.COM: REAL JOURNALISM. REAL LOCAL IMPACT.

The AJC's Tyler Estep keeps you updated on the latest happenings in Gwinnett County government and politics. You'll find more on myAJC.com, including these stories:

• Gwinnett says it's making 'enormous strides' toward Spanish ballot edict
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• Snellville mayor proclaims innocence while suspending self from office