Randy Scamihorn, seeking re-election against Vickie Benson, has pocketed $25,609 with a current balance of $19,662 in his campaign checking book. Scamihorn (R), a long-time school board member, is often seen as the most vocal of the Republicans on the board and willing to challenge perceived inaccuracies. Scamihorn’s social media page continuously points to the fact that he is the only candidate in the face that “lives, works and shops” in the county. Developing….
Vickie Benson has faced the Scamihorn team in the last cycle. In the last 2020 cycle, Benson (D) only won 43.3% of the vote and lost her first attempt. This cycle (2024), Benson recently reported a net contribution of $245 on her campaign disclosure with a current balance of a mere $51. This Democrat’s game plan seems to be focused on pushing a message of transparency, equity, and school culture. Benson’s campaign appears to be hoping for a Democrat surge at the top of the ticket grassroots canvassing effort.
The Cobb Voice Handicapper: Both races highlight the dynamic and evolving political landscape in Cobb County, with incumbents facing strong challenges and the potential for shifts in voter sentiment. Scamihorn’s financial advantage is significant, but Benson’s persistence and focus on transparency and grassroots effort could mobilize a different voter base. Benson’s previous experience facing Scamihorn should make her aware that she faces a hard-hitting candidate/politician who does not have a history of taking prisoners. This race has the potential to become contentious quickly.
Connie Taylor is now seeking to be re-elected to the Cobb Clerk of the Superior Court after putting on a Democrat team Jersey. Taylor recently spurned her previous Republican teammates by switching teams. Taylor’s contributions to date are $20,575, with a current balance of $14,241. This new member of the Democrat Party was able to win a starting position over a crowded Democrat field for the general election by receiving 53.3% of the vote, or 23,898 actual votes, in round one. In a county-wide, with over 510,000 active voters, a campaign bank balance of 14k does not go too far.
Deborah Dance, a Cobb County attorney, currently has $5,196 on hand after collecting a total of $10,550. Dance attacks Taylor for her misuse of the clerk’s office by putting a large portion of citizens’ passport money in Taylor’s personal checking account. According to an ongoing GBI investigation, Taylor personally pocketed over $220,000 in 2021 from passport applications, in addition to her county salary of $170,000.
The Cobb Voice Handicapper—This one has Cobb Voice shaking our collective heads and wondering how the voters will react if Dance is able to get her compelling message out in a county that turns a little bluer every year. The Taylor Campaign team seems to have some built-in advantages at this point in the game but does not have a lock on this game right now.
