The primary is not over for some candidates, and with early runoff voting starting Aug. 3, time is running out for voters to make their choice.

In Rockdale, candidates heading to a runoff on Aug. 10 are Democrats Dar’shun Kendrick and Rhonda Peek for State Representative District 94, Democrats Toney Collins, the incumbent, and Pam Dickerson for State Representative District 95, and Republicans Todd Hilton and Rick Jeffares for State Senate District 17.

State Representative District 94

Dar’Shun Kendrick said as the top voter-getter (35.7 percent) in the four-way general primary she’s been concentrating on getting voters to come back to the polls on Aug. 10.

"One of the things I’m running on is to be visible and be really involved in the community," she said. "When I’m the only one showing up (to community events), it makes it easier for them to finalize who they want."

"They want the best candidate in that office. I am more willing and able to serve," said Kendrick. "Let’s make some great things happen in the district."

The 27-year-old Lithonia-based attorney and Oglethorpe and UGA grad said her platform issues are education, economic development, jobs, transportation and the environment. She said she recently picked up an endorsement from the AFL-CIO.

Rhonda Peek, incumbent Randal Mangham’s former legislative aide who received 27.4 percent of the vote, said she was surprised to find herself in a runoff with Kenrick instead of the other two primary candidates.

"And I’m really surprised at her endorsements," said Peek. "She’s got a lot of endorsements from Atlanta. I do not want Atlanta to determine who’s going to be the District 94 representative."

"I was not going to receive money from Planned Parenthood," said Peek. "I didn’t have anyone from the gay and lesbian community come to me."

"What makes us different is our views and our faith and what I believe in," she said.

But, Peek added, "My personal views are totally different from the views of District 94…. I would separate my personal views."

Peek said some of her priorities if elected would be education and youth and educating the public about the resources and programs available.

For more information on Kendrick or to contact her, call (678) 323-7887, e-mail dkendricks@kendricksforgeorgia.com, or go to www.kendrickforgeorgia.com

For more information on Peek or to contact her, call (678) 760-8377, e-mail rpeek06@yahoo.com or go to www.rhondapeekforstaterepresentative.com.

State Representative District 95 Democrats

Democratic incumbent Rep. Toney Collins (D-Conyers) was the top vote getter at 43.1 percent, followed by challenger Pam Dickerson, with 33.4 percent. Both are Rockdale residents, though the district stretches into Newton and DeKalb counties.

Collins said he thought the key to making the runoff was residents voting based on his record, not just promises. "They know me from the past, know personally how I helped them as a state representative. I also have the advantage of being incumbent, so they see things I’ve done, compared to people who haven’t done anything," Collins said. "Experience is a great teacher. My integrity and my results will bring my lupus and kidney disease bill to forefront."

Among some constituents, Collins reportedly has a reputation for not showing up to events or being available by phone or e-mail; however, he said while he’s not always visible he believes he’s accessible. "I’m not a person that’s always visible. I’m not trying to get pictures taken and not just trying to get my face seen. But anytime when someone would call or e-mail or come to office to talk about a bill, I’ve always been there," he said. He also said the death of his father a short time ago may have led to some missed e-mails and phone calls recently.

Dickerson, a former Delta flight attendant, said she and her team tried to hit every neighborhood and send out mailers to spread her message. "And we’re going to continue to work hard. I felt his being the incumbent had something to do with (his finishing first," she said.

She said her focus, if elected, would be on education.

"I would really like to work with the different school districts. I’ve talked with the superintendents in each one of them to see how we can reduce the classroom sizes. Stop furlough days for teachers. I would like to see more parental involvement in schools. Parental involvement is key to having a successful school."

"I promise to do the very best I can in providing competent representation for District 95," she said.

"I’m glad to be engaged and to return phone calls and be available, something I did not see the opposition do. But this is not about the opposition. It’s about the people. I’m looking forward to winning it."

To contact Toney Collins, e-mail toneycollins95@gmail.com. To contact Pam Dickerson, e-mail pam@pamforthepeople.com or visit www.pamforthepeople.com

State Senate District 17 Republicans

Despite not asking for donations and placing very few political signs, Covington resident Todd Hilton still managed to secure second place in the Republican primary and a spot in the Aug. 10 runoff.

"I tried to run as a real person, not a politician. I had no consultants, no professional managers, I just run on my message, passion and background. A lot of people told me I didn’t have chance, because I wasn’t running typical campaign. They said I would be an also ran," Hilton said. "I’m humbled by support... I had a plan to not ask for donations, and I didn’t pursue any donations."

"I think people are tired of politics as usual," he said. "I think the key was that I had a strong message people could identify with. I didn’t give political answers."

As technology director for Social Circle City Schools, Hilton ran a campaign focused on improving education by putting an educator into the process.

Hilton will face Rick Jeffares, a former Henry County Commissioner and owner of J&T Environmental Services, a water quality preservation company. Jeffares was the leading vote getter in the primary, grabbing 42.7 percent of the vote in the district. While Hilton used a non-traditional approach, Jeffares credited his dedicated team of volunteers for spreading the word.

Jeffares was elected to the Henry County Board of Commission in 2008 and resigned that seat to run for State Senate District 17. He said didn’t plan to run for state office, but when current Sen. John Douglas (R-Social Circle) decided not to seek reelection, it caught everyone off guard and presented an opportunity. According to his website, Jeffares was previously city manager for Locust Grove, director of water and wastewater treatment for the city of Covington and director of water and water pollution control for the city of McDonough.

To contact or find out more about Hilton, e-mail TDHilston@bellsouth.net or visit www.ToddHiltonforsenate.com. To contact or find out more about Jeffares, e-mail Rjeffares@gbtengineers.com

Early voting for primary runoff starts Aug. 3

The primary runoff for both Democratic and Republican parties will be held Tuesday, Aug. 10.

Voters who voted in with a Democratic ballot in the primary election on July 20 will be issued a Democratic ballot for the runoff election. Similarly, voters who voted Republican in the primary election will be issued Republican ballots for the runoff. Voters who did not vote in the primary election or those who cast a nonpartisan ballot may choose to vote in either party for the runoff election.

On the Democratic ballot, there are three races available. For Secretary of State, the candidates are Gail Buckner and Georganna Sinkfield. For Georgia State Representative for the 95th District, the candidates are the incumbent Toney Collins and Pam Dickerson. For Georgia State Representative for the 94th District, the candidates are Dar'Shun Kendrick and Rhonda Peek.

On the Republican ballot, there are five races available. For the governor’s race, the candidates are Nathan Deal and Karen Handel. For Public Service Commissioner, the candidates are John Douglas and Tim Echols. For Attorney General, the candidates are Sam Olens and Preston Smith. For the State Senate position from the 17th District, the candidates are Todd Hilton and Rick Jeffares. For the Commissioner of Insurance, the candidates are Ralph Hudgens and Maria Sheffield.

Early voting for the runoff will begin Tuesday, Aug. 3. Voters may choose to cast their vote early either by mailing in an absentee ballot or in person at the Board of Elections Office at 1400 Parker Road, Lobby C. For early voting via mail, voters may request an absentee ballot by mail up through Aug. 6. For in-person early voting, voters may vote from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during July 30 to Aug. 3. Early voting poll hours will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during Aug. 4 to Aug. 8 from

For more information, contact the Rockdale County Board of Elections Office at (770) 278-7333.