5 candidates file to run for DeKalb Commission

Five candidates will compete to replace former DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer, who recently resigned and pleaded guilty to fraud charges.

Qualifying for the race ended Wednesday, setting up a two-month campaign before the Nov. 4 election. The winner of the race will represent about 140,000 people in north DeKalb, including the cities of Brookhaven, Doraville, Dunwoody and Chamblee.

The candidates are Wendy Butler, a land use attorney; Larry Danese, a retired electrical and nuclear engineer; Nancy Jester, an actuarial consultant; Tom Owens, a Vietnam veteran; and Holmes Pyles, a retired state government employee. All candidates are Republicans except for Pyles, who is independent.

They said they’ll clean up a county government plagued by accusations that commissioners have spent taxpayer money for personal items. Boyer admitted to misusing her government purchasing card and to funnelling government money to herself in a scheme worth more than $90,000.

If necessary, a runoff would be held Dec. 2.

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