Augusta Elects New Commissioner as Voters Approve Tax Increases in Primary Election

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – A local entrepreneur has clinched a victory, securing a position on the Augusta commission.

“I am incredibly thankful and appreciative of the voters and supporters in District 6. They trusted in me and have provided this chance to serve our community,” expressed Commissioner-Elect Tamika Bean.

Previously an assistant to Mayor Garnett Johnson, Tamika Bean astonished many by defeating incumbent commissioner Tony Lewis with nearly 60 percent of the vote.

“I felt deeply humbled and surprised by the outcome,” Bean remarked.

As a fresh face on the commission, Bean joins a group of seasoned members, with incumbents Stacey Pulliam, Lonnie Wimberly, and Wayne Guilfoyle all retaining their seats.

And despite organized opposition to axe the tax, Guilfoyle was happy to see approval of the SPLOST and especially the new FLOST, the half-cent sales tax for property tax relief.

“It directly impacts every property owner in Augusta, it benefits us. The government doesn’t receive any thing out of it,” said Guilfoyle.

Following the election, some want to see more out of the city’s registered voters, where turnout was less than 30 percent.

Gayla Keesee of the league of Women Voters says those registered need to understand the importance getting out with the run-offs coming in June.

Whose mayor or who’s District 8 Commissioner and those are final elections those are the ones the league is trying to get Richmond County voters to understand. 

Voters decide elections, something commissioner-elect Tamika Bean totally understands.