By GABE JORDAN

gabe.jordan@gaflnews.com

CORDELE — The race to replace State Senator Joseph Carter (R-Tifton) is wide open, with five men having declared their intentions to run for the 13th District senate seat.

Two men from Lee County, Wally Roberts and Bob Usry, have announced they plan to qualify Wednesday, and two Tift County men, Rusty Simpson and John Crosby, have also announced, along with Irwin County resident Horace Hudgins. The 13th District is comprised of Ben Hill, Crisp, Turner, Tift, Lee, Worth counties and a portion of Wilcox.

Notably absent is a candidate from Crisp County. Retired Senator Rooney L. Bowen, Jr., of Cordele, held the 13th District seat for roughly 24 years before stepping down in 2004, and many local political observers have said they thought now might be the time for Crisp County to re-take the seat.

Now it might be too late, though, according to long-time local Republican activist Ritch McCutchen.

“I’m afraid that if someone from Crisp County were to enter the race now, it would only muddy the waters. But if we can begin to cultivate someone now we can have a real good candidate for the future and hopefully get that senate seat back,” McCutchen said.

A great deal of speculation had centered on Noel Williams, Jr., a local businessman and chair of the Cordele-Crisp County Chamber of Commerce, and Ferrell Henry, outgoing chairman of the county commission, as being two possible contenders from Crisp County. Both said they considered it but have ruled out a run.

McCutchen said the circumstances of the special primary election to replace Carter may make it difficult for a relative unknown to win.

“This is a Republican primary, and you have to bear that in mind. Only the people who vote as a Republican on July 15 or do not vote at all will be allowed to vote in this race for state senate,” McCutchen said. “So the winner is probably going to be someone who is well-known in Republican party circles, and right now the best known is Rusty Simpson.”

McCutchen said Simpson has served in a variety of Republican leadership roles in south Georgia as well as in the statewide party system.

Crisp County Elections Supervisor Brenda Turner said McCutchen was right about who will be able to vote in the special election to replace Carter. Voters who pull a Democratic ballot in the July 15 primary will not be able to vote Aug. 5 in the special primary for State Senate District 13, which is limited only to Republican candidates and voters in accordance with state law.

“We’ll likely see a few disappointed voters turned away on Aug. 5,” Turner said about the potential for confusion over the race.