Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) Chairman Carroll Gay is facing opposition in his bid to serve a fifth term representing District #5. Qualifying as a Non-Partisan candidate in the November General Election ended noon Friday with former Jenkins County School Superintendent Danny Bennett and former Jenkins County school system educator Christine Stripling seeking to unseat Gay.

Gay was first elected unopposed to the BOE District #5 seat in July 1994 and has served as chairman of the group since that time. He is the former owner of Truck Aid Insurance Company. Bennett was a longtime employee of the local school system, serving as Jenkins County School Superintendent from 1996 until his retirement in 2000. Stripling is a former educator and graduation coach. She was also chairperson of a citizens’ group who unsuccessfully attempted to initiate a recall election for Gay’s seat in 2008.

BOE member Irene Drummer, District #2, also faces opposition in her bid for a second term from newcomers to the political arena, Eloise Turner Hendley and Mike Reese.

Drummer is a former paraprofessional with the local school system who was elected to the District #2 seat in 2006. Hendley is a former Senior Payroll Associate with Jockey International who continued her education after the plant closed, earning a certified medical assisting degree. Reese is a former store owner and a former insurance agent. He is currently employed at Rocker Supply.

Two other local candidates are unopposed - State Court Judge R.H. Reeves III and Elbert Burke, Brier Creek Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor.