Longtime kingmakers in Fayette County politics were dethroned recently by newcomers in a shakeup in local republican party leadership. A slate of seventeen new officers submitted by newcomers, mostly tied to the local Tea Party, won in secret ballot during the Fayette Republican Party convention held at Peachtree Christian Church. The new officers include: retired attorney Scott Fabricius (chairman), veteran educator Tyrone Jones (vice chair), business owner Bonnie Willis (secretary) and Dr. John Potts (treasurer). The slate of new officers effectively end a long stretch of power held by former party chairman Lane Watts and his mother, Marilyn Watts, a member of the county’s board of elections.

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A provisional ballot desk is seen empty at the Cherokee County Voting and Registration office during the runoff elections for the Public Service Commission on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

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Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, seen here in a file photo from Nov. 14, 2024, is conducting a statewide audit of voter registrations targeting registrations at businesses and P.O. boxes for possible cancelation. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com