It came down to the wire, but by a scant 113 votes attorney Chris Cohilas edged former Dougherty County Commissioner Gloria Gaines Tuesday to claim the chairmanship of the Dougherty County Commission in unofficial but complete returns.

Cohilas won polling on election day by a handy margin, 3,957 votes to Gaines’ 3,481. That was just enough to hold off Gaines’ 1,100-737 margin in early and absentee ballots.

“I’m proud tonight, very pleased that the citizens of Dougherty County responded to the very positive message we’ve maintained throughout this campaign,” an elated Cohilas said from a victory celebration at the downtown Cafe 230 late Tuesday night after unofficial returns were reported. “This campaign has included a very diverse group that has walked the streets of every neighborhood in Dougherty County, north, south, east and west.

Read More