Vernon Jones Runs For State House

He qualified for the Democratic primary in House District 94 -- in the far eastern section of DeKalb.

Ralph Ellis, Patch Staff

Posted Fri, May 25, 2012 at 7:11 pm ET|Updated Fri, May 25, 2012 at 11:16 pm ET

Vernon Jones is back in the game.

The former DeKalb County CEO qualified to run for the open state House seat in District 94. That district is in the far eastern section of DeKalb County and exends into Rockdale County. Residents of Decatur and Avondale Estates would not vote in that election.

In filing papers, Jones describes himself as a 51-year-old consultant. He's also an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estateswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Seeking the same seat are four other Democrats -- Karen Bennett of Stone Mountain, Patricia Bourdeau of Snellville, Tony Lentin of Snellville and Jaye Peabody of Snellville. No Republicans qualified.

Noon Friday was the deadline for candidates to officially get into a race. Several well-known candidates now face battles within their own party.

Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estateswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Incumbent DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer, the only Republican on the commission, is being challenged by Larry Danese for the District 1 GOP nomination.

Kathie Gannon, the incumbent commissioner in District 6, faces Edmond Richardson for the Democratic nomination.

There's no candidate from the opposition party in District 1 or 6, so a primary victory is tantamount to election.

On the DeKalb School Board, Thomas Bowen of District 6 is the only incumbent not seeking re-election. Four candidates are seeking that seat.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, the incumbent in Congressional District 5, faces two opponents for the Democratic nomination.

Courtney Dillard Sr., a 49-year-old minister and real estate developer from Conyers, has joined the race. Lincoln Nunnally of Porterdale qualified earlier.

Perhaps the most watched issues will be the and the Brookhaven cityhood referendum.

Meanwhile, here is the lineup of candidates for the July 31 primary.

U.S. Representative, District 4

Courtney L. Dillard, Sr. -- Democrat

J. Chris Vaughn -- Republican

Hank Johnson (I) -- Democrat

Lincoln Nunnally -- Democrat

Greg Pallen -- Republican

U.S. Representative, District 5

Michael Johnson -- Democrat

John Lewis (I) -- Democrat

Howard Stopeck -- Republican

State Senate, District 10

Emmanuel Jones (I) -- Democrat

State Senate, District 42

Kenneth Brett Braverman -- Republican

Jason Carter (I) -- Democrat

State House, District 82

Mary Margaret Oliver (I) -- Democrat

State House, District 83

Howard Mosby (I) -- Democrat

State House, District 84

Rahn Mayo (I) -- Democrat

State House, District 85

Karla Drenner (I) -- Democrat

State House, District 86

Michele Henson (I) -- Democrat

Lisa Y. Kinnemore -- Republican

State House, District 87

Earnest "Coach" Williams (I) -- Democrat

Superior Court Judge, Stone Mountain Circuit (Non-partisan)

Gregory A. Adams (I)