Both District 5 and 6 of the Chambers County Commission have Republicans duking it out to secure their spot to run unopposed in the general election later this year.

District 5 incumbent David Eastridge is a native to the county. He graduated from Valley High School, Southern Union State Community College and attended Auburn University. Eastridge is also an eight year veteran of the United States Air Force and a retired 21-year teacher at the Chambers County Career Technical Center.

“I want to serve the people of Chambers County and the residents of District 5,” Eastridge said to The Valley Times-News. “I offer positive, forward thinking leadership and communication between the citizens, the cities and the county. I feel that having past experience as a County Commissioner clearly makes me the best choice for Commissioner of District 5.”

Johnny Yates is the other Republican candidate running for the position. The county native has been married for over 40 years to his wife Debbie and said he is running to give the people of District 5 someone to listen to.

“Chambers County is a good place to live and I want to serve it,” Yates said. “I want to set District 5 on
fire again. We need to have new leadership in the county.”

These two candidates have faced off for the position before during the 2014 Race. The District 5 commission race was the closest in the county that year as Eastridge was elected to a second term over Yates. Eastridge received 617 votes — 52.47 percent — compared to Yates’ 558 votes — 47.36 percent.

The two candidates hoping for the County Commission District 6 seat being vacated by Debbie Wood announced their intentions this past January.

Bobby “Bo” Colley is a 2015 graduate of Valley High School who has already attempted to get involved in local politics. He ran for the District 1 seat on the Valley city council in 2016 and received 32 percent of the vote, and is now running on a platform of representing all citizens of his district fairly. Colley is currently a student at Southern Union State Community College.

Debra Riley is also a Chambers County native and has received degrees from Southern Union, Auburn and Troy. She is running on a platform of
continuing to push for growth and development in Chambers County.