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Barrow County Chamber of Commerce · Governmental Affairs Committee

Commissioner
Candidate Forum

Voter Preparation Guide · Republican Primary 2026 · Districts 4, 5 & 6
3 Districts 7 Candidates Winder, Georgia Moderated Forum
Georgia Primary
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--Hrs
--Min
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May 20, 2026
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District 4

Three-Way Primary Race

AW
Alex Ward
IncumbentAttorney
First elected via 2022 special election. Attorney, community volunteer. ACCG-certified in Intergovernmental Relations.
Key Priorities
Responsible growth management
Public safety funding (Sheriff & Fire)
Fiscal discipline & transparency
Engagement ratingHigh
Notable
Opposed the BOC's 2025 SRO withdrawal. Objected to last-minute agenda additions without public notice.
RM
Robin Martinelli
ChallengerPrivate Investigator
Lost to Ward in the 2022 primary. Filed a dismissed ethics complaint against Ward. Running on a government accountability platform.
Key Priorities
Strengthening county ethics laws
Preventing tax increases
Supporting law enforcement
EC
Eric Craft
ChallengerNew Candidate
Long-time Barrow County resident (20+ years). Small business owner and 25-year community coach. Running on responsible growth, fiscal accountability, and protecting community essentials.
Key Priorities
Infrastructure before rooftops — roads & utilities first
End duplicated city/county services & taxpayer double-billing
Public safety, schools & infrastructure funded first
District 5

Incumbent vs. Challenger

TW
Tim Walker
IncumbentLaw Enforcement Veteran
Auburn resident. First elected 2022. Former Gwinnett County police officer. Security advisor at Hebron Christian Academy. USMC Reserve veteran (6 years).
Key Priorities
Local economic growth
Public safety
Business opportunity development
Incumbent experience1st Term
SRO Controversy
Voted with the 5-2 majority to withdraw county SRO funding. Named in ethics complaint subsequently dismissed.
CR
Carrie Anne Rowan
Challenger
19-year Auburn resident. Lifelong educator and proud mom. Ready to listen, engage, and advocate for common-sense solutions that work for families and the community.
Key Priorities
Smart, sustainable growth — science-based land & water protection
County investment in families, schools & child safety
Open-door government — present, responsive & coordinated
District 6

Incumbent vs. Challenger

DL
Deborah Lynn
IncumbentReal Estate / Small Business
First elected 2022. Former Barrow Planning Board member. Small business owner. Serves on Winder-Barrow Industrial Building Authority.
Key Priorities
Best services at lowest cost to taxpayers
First responder funding
Road & bridge maintenance
County employee cost-of-living raises
Local government experienceStrong
SRO Controversy
Initiated the procedural call-to-question that cut short discussion on the SRO vote. Ethics complaint dismissed.
DM
Daniel McCormick
Challenger
Challenger for the District 6 seat. Platform details not yet widely available. The forum is the primary opportunity to hear his vision.
Opportunity
Attend the forum to hear his platform
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SRO Funding Controversy
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In July 2025, the BOC voted 5-2 to require 100% reimbursement from schools for all SRO days — effectively withdrawing county co-funding. Walker and Lynn voted with the majority; Ward opposed and objected to the item being added to the agenda at the last minute without public notice. A citizen filed an ethics complaint against five commissioners alleging transparency violations. The ethics board dismissed it. The issue remains politically live heading into the 2026 primary.

Why it matters to businesses: School safety and community trust are direct factors in workforce retention, employee satisfaction, and the quality of the talent pipeline.
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Growth, Development & Infrastructure
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Barrow County's population exceeds 83,500 and is growing rapidly. The Commission must balance property rights, neighborhood concerns, and infrastructure costs. Roads, utilities, and public services must scale with population. All three incumbents have grappled with these tradeoffs during their first terms.

Why it matters to businesses: Infrastructure quality — roads, broadband, water capacity — directly affects site selection, logistics costs, and the attractiveness of Barrow County to new employers and investment.
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Fiscal Responsibility & the Millage Rate
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County commissioners set the annual budget and millage rate. With growth comes service demand — but taxpayers and businesses are sensitive to property tax increases. Candidates are being asked how they'll fund growing needs without hiking taxes. Martinelli's platform explicitly focuses on preventing tax increases; Ward has emphasized fiscal discipline throughout his term.

Why it matters to businesses: Commercial property tax rates affect operating costs directly. Ask each candidate whether they support millage rate changes and under what conditions.
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Government Transparency & Ethics
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Multiple ethics complaints have been filed against current commissioners in this election cycle — all dismissed. Still, the pattern raises questions about agenda-setting practices, public notice, and the ability of citizens to participate meaningfully in discussions. Martinelli has built her campaign around this issue.

Why it matters to businesses: Predictable, transparent local government reduces regulatory uncertainty. Chamber members benefit when they can track and engage with policy decisions before they're finalized.
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Workforce Development & Economic Opportunity
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Walker has listed growing the local economy through business opportunities as a stated priority. The Barrow-Braselton Joint Economic Development Authority and the Joint Development Authority of Winder-Barrow County both play roles here. The Commission's land use decisions, infrastructure investments, and relationship with CTAE and the school system all shape whether the county can attract and retain employers.

Why it matters to businesses: Ask candidates how they envision the Commission's role in supporting workforce pipeline development, CTE programs, and employer partnerships.

These questions are designed to be substantive without being partisan. Click the copy button on any question to grab it for use during the forum.

1
All Candidates · Business Focus
"What is your top economic development priority for your district, and how specifically would it benefit local employers?"
2
All Candidates · Transparency
"What specific reforms would you support to ensure citizens and board members have adequate notice and discussion time before major votes?"
3
All Candidates · Fiscal
"How will you fund Barrow County's growing infrastructure and service needs without raising the millage rate — and where would you cut if required?"
4
Districts 5 & 6 · SRO Issue
"Would you revisit the 2025 decision to require 100% school reimbursement for SROs — and how do you respond to the transparency concerns about how that vote was conducted?"
5
District 4 · Ethics
"District 4 has seen two ethics complaints in two cycles, both dismissed. What does that pattern tell you, and what would you do to prevent it going forward?"
6
All Candidates · Workforce
"How do you see the Commission's role in supporting CTE programs, work-based learning, and the school-to-workforce pipeline for local employers?"
7
All Candidates · Growth
"When a rezoning application is fully compliant with codes and the comprehensive plan, but neighbors oppose it — how do you make that call?"
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All Candidates · Chamber Focus
"What is one specific thing you would do in your first year to strengthen the relationship between county government and the Barrow Chamber business community?"

Quick anonymous polls to warm up your thinking before the forum. Tap to vote.

What issue matters most to you as a Barrow County business owner or resident?
How informed do you feel about the candidates in your district heading into this forum?
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The Forum

Hosted by the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce and the Governmental Affairs Committee to help voters hear directly from candidates seeking to represent Districts 4, 5, and 6.

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The Election

Georgia Republican Primary: May 20, 2026. The Barrow BOC has 7 members elected through district elections for four-year staggered terms. County seat: Winder, GA.

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The Board

The BOC sets county policy, enacts ordinances, approves the annual budget and millage rate, and appoints a County Manager to handle day-to-day operations.

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Why It Matters

Local commissioners directly affect zoning, infrastructure, taxes, and public safety — issues that touch every business and family in Barrow County every day.

Sources & Research

Candidate information sourced from: Barrow News-Journal, AccessWDUN, barrowga.org official staff directory, Branch.vote candidate profiles, Ballotpedia, and WardForBarrow.com campaign site. Research conducted April 2026.

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