Following a bid-rigging scandal, new commissioners have tipped the political balance away from Democrats in Douglas County.
The political power structure in Douglas County, Georgia, has undergone a sudden shift from Democrat to Republican. This change comes as the Douglas County Commission convened with all five commissioners for the first time since April, following an alleged bid-rigging scandal that led to the temporary removal of two of the five commissioners.
The appointed replacements, Phil Miller and Ricky Dobbs, have already tipped the political balance away from Democrats. This marks a notable change from 2016 when the county’s power structure flipped from Republican to Democrat in a single election.
Phil Miller, the retired Douglas County Sheriff, became the first Republican since 2016 to chair the County Commission. Ricky Dobbs, the other new addition to the commission, has declared himself an independent, a notable declaration given his previous reticence on political affiliation.
“I’m an independent,” Dobbs stated, positioning himself as a potential swing vote on the commission. “I want to be. I look at this opportunity as I could be that swing vote because I’m going to definitely stand up for what’s right, and sometimes what’s right is on both sides.”
The new commissioners have expressed their intent to bring about changes in Douglas County. Both newcomers have stated their desire to reduce property taxes, limit purchase card abuse, and cut down on overall spending. This includes reevaluating the controversial decision by the previous commission to pay the legal fees for the two indicted commissioners.
Despite the changes they intend to bring, both Miller and Dobbs hope that the people they’re replacing will eventually return to their positions. “I hate that they got caught up into it. Hopefully, they’re proven to be innocent,” Dobbs stated. Miller echoed this sentiment, expressing his hope for their innocence.
As the political landscape in Douglas County continues to evolve, the actions and decisions of the new commissioners will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the county’s future.
