HARTWELL — Four incumbents are unopposed but voters will face several choices in commission and school board races in Hart County.

Also, voters will decide whether to continue a tax for education. The primary is July 15.

The Hart County Commission District 3 seat is sought by Brandon Johnson, a Republican, and Alan S. Ortiz and Buddy Spears, both Democrats.

In the County Commission District 5 race, incumbent Joey Dorsey, a Democrat, faces Republican Eugene “Gene” O’Keefe. They won’t meet until November.

For the Hart County Board of Education seat in District 1, Democratic candidates Brenda J. Jordan and E. Alice Worthan face no Republican opposition and will meet in the primary. District 3 BOE incumbent Derek Cobb, a Democrat, will face the winner of the Republican primary race between Gary J. Vasile and Jim Dennis.

With no incumbent running for the District 5 BOE seat, Democrat Dr. Diane Merritt faces Republican Angie McGee in November.

In the Tax Commissioner’s race, incumbent Republican Burl Pierce will face the winner of the Donnie Cobb and Gail H. Johnson primary between Democrats.

On the July 15 primary ballot, Probate Bob Judge Smith said voters will make a choice on a referendum on continuation of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for education funding. The current SPLOST — collecting one penny of extra local tax for each dollar spent — was passed by voters five years ago. Smith said a SPLOST for education must be approved every five years, if it is to continue funding capital expenditures for schools.

Of the 11 offices open, four incumbents are running unopposed.

County Commission member and current chairman R.C. Oglesby has no opposition for his District 1 seat.

Oglesby was first elected, in 1989, to the county’s three-member Board of Finance, which later changed its name to the Board of Commissioners, said Hart County Clerk Lawanda Kahn. At that time, the Board’s composition also changed to five members. Oglesby holds “a record for the number of terms he has served, both on the Board of Finance and the Board of Commissioners,” said Kahn.

Other unopposed incumbents running are Mike Adams, coroner; Dean Harry Teasley, surveyor; and Mike Cleveland, sheriff.

Smith said the lack of opposition for candidates in some races demonstrates public satisfaction with the way officeholders do their jobs.

“At least I hope they’re satisfied with what we’re doing,” Smith said.

Elaine Irvin can be contacted at 706-499-5845 or Lois54@windstream.net