Ellis Hooks, Ricky Thompson, and Jacqueline Brantley have all qualified to run for the seat of Commissioner for District 2. Meet the candidates:
Ellis Hooks is a lifelong resident of Emanuel County. He spent 30 years working for Middle Georgia Management, managing Louisville Finance Company but recently made a career change and is back working in Swainsboro with Famous Credit. Ellis has one son, Ashley Hooks, who is married to Marla Price Hooks and two wonderful grandchildren, Ella Jo and Broxton Hooks, who are both students in the Emanuel County School System. A graduate of Swansboro High School, Ellis spent eight years serving the citizens of Emanuel County as a School Board member. He is now running for the County Commissioner seat, representing District 2. When asked why he is running for the County Commissioner seat of District 2, Ellis said,
“I feel that all taxpayers in Emanuel County deserve clarity in how their tax dollars are being spent. Your Vote and Support will be greatly appreciated on March 21st. A vote for me is a vote for the people!”
Jacqueline Brantley was born on March 17, 1965, in Burke County. In her youth, she developed a passion for mentorship and service and dreamed of pursuing a career where she could assist the members of her community and surrounding areas through counseling. Brantley graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1983 and went on to attend Savannah State University (SSU). At SSU she pursued that passion, studying behavioral and social sciences under the umbrella of criminal justice. In 1990, Brantley earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and also achieved an Associate’s in Psychology.
Immediately following graduation, she began an internship with Lenny Darden, a prominent Savannah attorney. Upon completion of her internship, she went on to work in many different fields to gain experience for her career goals including security and retail. Brantley saw all her hard work pay off when she was offered a position with the Department of Corrections (DOC) as a Behavioral Health Counselor. It was in this field that she utilized her studies to impact people in a life changing way. Through her work with the DOC, Brantley earned her certification in drug addiction and behavioral health counseling. She served as a Behavioral Health Counselor in many different facilities which gave her the opportunity to spread her influence on some of the most forgotten members of our communities. She retired after 28 years of service and now works hard as a future director for Mary Kay, Inc.
In her spare time, Brantley continues to serve her community, participating in local events such as Relay for Life and Toys for Tots. She loves offering a helping hand to the elderly. Adopt a Senior is an annual event where she purchases a Christmas gift for several of the residents. In the height of COVID, she gave makeup, toiletries, and nonperishable items for the women and children living in a domestic violence shelter. She also participates in Pampering Time, an event hosted by the domestic violence center in Savannah. Brantley is a faithful member of Forts Grove Baptist Church in Cross and Green. She also enjoys working out at CPR and attending Silver Sneakers, her favorite workout class.
Brantley is a mother of three, Latisha Brown of Port Wentworth, Ashley Valmont of Swainsboro, and Devin Wesby of Warner Robins, Her and her late husband, Samuel Brantley, instilled in all of them the value of showing up for others and making a lasting impact in the world. She is running for Emanuel County Commissioner of District 2 with a fierce belief that she can and will bring a new perspective to the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners. Brantley was born with a desire to serve God first, her family, and the people.
When asked why she’s running for the county Commissioner seat of District 2, Brantley said, “I hope to obtain this position and serve as a catalyst for the people who are often forgotten about. I know that rural Georgia has so much to offer the world, and I would like to magnify that and help Emanuel County achieve and maintain the prosperity we deserve.”
Ricky Thompson was born in Swainsboro to Dorothy Thompson and the late Hubert Thompson of Nunez. He is 53 years old and has lived most of his life in Nunez where he served on Nunez City Council for many years. Since marrying his wife Diana in 2001, he has resided in District 2 for 21 years. He and Diana have two teenage sons, 19-year-old Guyton, and 16-year-old Grayson.
In 1991, Thompson began working for Coca-Cola United Bottling Company. He remained with them until 2005, when he became the owner of a local Snap-On Tools Franchise - Thompson Tools. For 18 years now, Thompson has devoted his time to Thompson Tools and furthered his entrepreneurship in 2018 when he and Diana purchased the Retirement Inn and Church Street Manor. Thompson has been a member of Nunez Baptist Church for eight years where he currently serves as a Deacon. In his spare time, he enjoys working on old classic trucks, fishing, riding his motorcycle and going camping with his family and friends.
When asked why he is running for the county Commissioner seat of District 2, Thompson said,
“My goal as Commissioner is to be a voice for the voiceless and achieve a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and growing because today's leaders owe it to our children and future generations, to leave them with a safer, more peaceful, and more prosperous world than the one we inherited. There is a lot of work to be done and I feel that I am ready for the task. I hope that I can count on your vote!”
The special election for county Commissioner seat of District 2will be held on March 21, 2023. The last day to register to vote in the special election is February 21, 2023. Advance voting will begin February 27, 2023.
