MACON, Ga. — Two candidates for Bibb County sheriff say they look forward to making their case against disqualification March 27.
The attorney for the Macon-Bibb Board of Elections officially informed Marshall Hughes and Ron Rodgers Wednesday evening they didn't meet all the necessary steps to run. It stems from a paperwork issue at Macon-Bibb Probate Court.
"Every candidate that's running is either in law enforcement currently, or they resigned from law enforcement, or they retired from law enforcement. So, I'm not saying the background check shouldn't be done. But honestly, is that a deal-breaker at this point? At this stage in the game?" Hughes asked.
Those questions are exactly the questions the board will try to answer next Wednesday. Their letter alleges Hughes and Rodgers failed to get fingerprinted or do a background check. Those are required by Georgia law.
Hughes recalled asking Elections Supervisor Tom Gillon if there was anything else he needed to complete.
"I said, 'Is there anything else I need or anything else I need to turn in?' He said, 'No, you're good. You're qualified.' So I left. My thing is I didn't get the same experience as the other candidates got," Hughes said.
He says nobody told him he didn't do all the paperwork until after qualification. Hughes claims an elections office worker stopped another candidate's process and sent him to do the required paperwork before allowing him to qualify.
Gillon declined an interview but said candidates must sign an affidavit when qualifying that says they've done or will do the paperwork at probate court within three days of the end of qualifying.
Hughes says he accepts the board's review process but says he'll continue to fight to be qualified.
"I'm going to push it to the extent, as far as I can go. Because at the end of the day, I have sacrificed a lot," Hughes said.
Rodgers sent a short statement:
"I received a letter on March 20th, 2024 from the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections regarding my qualification as a candidate for Sheriff. I will be present at the meeting on March 27th to participate in the decision process. I fully support the opportunity to do so and respect the process set forth by the board."
That meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. March 27 at the elections office inside the Macon Mall. It's open to the public.