The Greene County Chapter of the Alabama New South Alliance (ANSA) met over the past weekend to screen and endorse candidates for the primary election to be held on June 5, 2018.
Candidates for local offices made short presentations to the ANSA members and then answered questions from a screening committee and the general membership.
For Probate Judge, ANSA endorsed Jeremy Rancher in a close contest with Rev. James Carter. Rev. John Kennard and Rashon Smith also appeared to be screened, however neither Rolanda M. Wedgeworth nor Grace Belton Stanford, who were invited, appeared before the group.
For Circuit Clerk, ANSA endorsed Veronica Morton Jones over Debra Blackmon.
For Sheriff, ANSA heard from Lorenzo French and Beverly Spencer, two of the four candidates and endorses Lorenzo French. Incumbent Sheriff Jonathan Benison and Jimmie L. Benison declined the invitation to appear before the group.
For Coroner, ANSA chose to endorse Ronald K. Smith, incumbent Coroner, for the position over Finest Gandy Jr., his opponent.
ANSA heard from most of the candidates for the Greene County Commission and endorsed the following:

• Lester Brown –
District 1
• Tennyson Smith –
District 2
• Elzora Fluker –
District 3
• Allen Turner Jr. –
District 4
•Rashonda Summerville –
District 5

The ANSA members plan to work between now and the election to support this slate of local candidates. On April 21, ANSA will hold its statewide convention in Montgomery to screen and endorse candidates for statewide and multi-county districts to complete its slate of candidates for the June 5, 2018 primary election.