Democrat Carlotta Harrell and Republican June Wood will face each other in a Dec. 6 runoff for the Henry County commission chairman’s seat.
Both women each received 50 percent of the votes in Tuesday’s election.
Whoever wins will become the first African-American woman to lead the county of about 214,000.
Both said they are ready to lead. The winner will succeed current chairman Tommy Smith who chose not to run again.
Harrel, 55, said she will be ready to assume the county’s top elected position on day one.
“I am the only candidate ready on day one to perform the duties and responsibilities of what the chairman does,” said Harrell, a retired law enforcement veteran who has worked extensively in government. “I know how to navigate federal and state agencies. I already have those ready-made skills.”
As chairman, Harrell said she will focus on fully-financing public safety.
“We’ve got a crisis going on with our officers leaving and going to other agencies for more money.
She also plans to find solutions for the county’s traffic and transportation problems.
“I’m looking at an option for possibly bringing rail to Henry County,” she said. She also wants Henry to attract more high-paying professional jobs. “Henry County has known so long for warehousing. SO I would like to bring more professional services industry jobs to Henry such as Microsoft and Google. I want to bring more high paying professional jobs so we can create more live, work and play opportunities in the county.”
Harrell and her husband, Kennis, a retired Dekalb County assistant police chief, have three children and five grandchildren. They have lived in Henry 22 years.
Wood, 53, said she will focus on public safety; transportation infrastructure and high-quality jobs. Wood is a retired Georgia Power executive. She and her husband, Michael, have two daughters and five grandchildren. They have lived in Henry 14 years.
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