Carpenter, Pociask qualify to run in special election for state House District 4

Published 6:59 pm Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Kasey Carpenter, owner of the Oakwood Cafe and Cherokee Pizza and Brewing, and computer programmer Peter Pociask qualified Tuesday for the Nov. 7 special election for the District 4 seat in the state House of Representatives that became open when Bruce Broadrick stepped down for health reasons recently.

Carpenter unsuccessfully challenged Broadrick in the 2016 Republican primary.

Republican Party activist Beau Patton, who had previously announced plans to run for the District 4 seat next year, was the sole qualifier on Monday, according to the Secretary of State’s website.

The race is nonpartisan, but the candidates have the option of listing a party identification. Carpenter and Patton listed Republican. Pociask listed the Democratic Party.

Qualifying ends at 1 p.m. today and takes place at the Elections Division of the Office of Secretary of State, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.E., 802 West Tower, in Atlanta. The qualifying fee is $400. The special election will take place the same day as municipal elections. District 4 covers most of the city of Dalton and four adjacent precincts.

A Whitfield County native, Broadrick was a pharmacist who owned and operated Frank’s Pharmacy for more than 30 years and was also seen behind the counter at the Walgreens pharmacy on West Walnut Avenue.

Broadrick represented District 4 in the state House for five years. He said he had a stroke several years ago and said the decision to step down came after recent testing and consultation with his physician and with his family.

Tuesday, Oct. 10, is the last day to register to vote for those who are not registered and who want to vote in the special election. Advance in-person absentee voting will begin on Monday, Oct. 16.