Three citizens with lifelong knowledge of Waycross City Commission District 1 have decided to seek the seat in the Tuesday, November 5 General Election.
Willie Oliver, Shawn Roberts and Jené Walker qualified last month to run for the seat that opened with the April 20 death of longtime commissioner Norman Davis. Davis, 83, had represented District 1 since January
1, 2006.
The three are seeking to fill out the term Davis earned in 2021 as an unopposed incumbent. That term expires December 31, 2025.
Oliver resides on Arnold McKinney Drive while Roberts lives at his birth home on Cresent Street. Walker resides on Colley Street.
Each said they understood the impact Davis had serving District 1 for so long and hoped to be able to extend his legacy of service.
Oliver said he hoped to be able to promote growth in the community and city with an aim on providing opportunities to keep the young people at home.
“The people of District 1 need someone they can trust and who will convey their concerns to the commission and I’m that person,” Oliver said. “I look forward to working alongside both my city manager and mayor on improving infrastructure to promoting economic growth and to give our young people opportunities to remain in Waycross by creating a bright future.”
Roberts, who said he will soon be separating from the Air National Guard after more than two decades, believes he can draw on that service in the seat.
Oliver
Roberts
Walker
“I thought about (running) after Commissioner Davis passed,” Roberts said. “He was such a strong person who did a lot for the community and the city. Those are big shoes to fill and it will take a strong person to step in.
“I’ve had leadership classes and opportunities (in the military) and I feel like that’s prepared me to serve on the commission and support the community.”
Walker said she had known Davis since she was a child. Her mother and Davis’ mother were neighbors.
Walker said as she aged and Davis began serving the community, they often talked city politics.
“I have a love and passion for helping people, number one,” Walker said. “And I’m really passionate about where I live and my area of the city.
“I went to see him before he passed. I thought maybe I could pick up the baton, not to try to be like him, but at least continue his work and maybe take the district and city forward as he’d hoped.”
Early voting for the election will start Monday, October 14. The Ware County Board of Elections and Registration was to discuss weekend opportunities and times for early voting at its monthly meeting Tuesday, August 13, according to Supervisor of Elections Carlos Nelson.
The seat is one of two on the ballot for the commission. The District 5 post is included as the result of the ruling of Senior Judge Gary McCorvey in a lawsuit filed by Henry Strickland in Ware County Superior Court contesting the outcome of the November 2023 election.
Nelson and Strickland have qualified for November’s voting.
