Wheeler Judge Candidates Hold Meet-and-Greet Event

Candidates for the Wheeler County’s probate and magistrate judge positions attended a meet-and-greet event on Oct. 6 in the Wheeler County Community Center in Alamo.

The event, organized by the Wheeler County Chamber of Commerce, allowed each of the four candidates to introduce themselves to residents and answer questions about the position. The candidates’ names were drawn randomly from a jar to determine their speaking order, with audience questions saved for the end.

In Georgia, magistrate judges oversee cases involving civil matters of $15,000 or less, while probate judges have jurisdiction over matters involving licenses, wills and other documentation.

“These positions require fairness, sound judgement, knowledge of the law and the commitment to serving each citizen with professionalism and respect,” said Nicole Taylor of the chamber.

The first candidate selected to speak was Brian O’Quinn. He spoke about his “strong work ethic” which began when spending time at his grandfather’s service station.

“I always had a strong work ethic, and always do your best at everything you do, and you always treat people fairly,” said O’Quinn.

He would eventually transition into working in law enforcement, serving as the Alamo Fire Chief and general administrator for the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office’s jail. According to O’Quinn, these positions have allowed him to “consistently demonstrate my ability to lead.”

He also worked closely with the previous judge, Jolinda Harrelson, leading to knowledge of how the office functions.

“I learned a lot from Judge Harrelson,” said O’Quinn. “We worked together seamlessly.”

He said his collaboration with Judge Harrelson, alongside his work in law enforcement, gave him experience in handling case files and obituaries. While he admitted a lack of experience dealing with civil matters, O’Quinn already possesses certain certifications acquired through the sheriff’s office required to perform the role of judge. 

The second candidate, Gian Mancini, also expressed his own background in law enforcement. Mancini has over 10 years of experience working in local prisons, including Wheeler Correctional Institution, Telfair State Prison and Montgomery State Prison.

Like O’Quinn, Mancini has also worked with the Alamo Fire Department, Alamo Police Department and the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office, where he currently serves as “third in command under the sheriff” as a captain. He is assigned to the Wheeler County school district, where he also coaches sports.

According to Mancini, his work with the prisons and law enforcement has given him experience dealing with the civil matters required for the judge position. He also promised few changes to the judge’s office, as he felt the office had “been ran pretty good.”

“There [are] some things that need to be updated, you know, and we’re going to work on that if I was to win,” said Mancini. “I just think I would be a good candidate for the job.”

The third candidate to speak was Bradley Davis, grandson of former judge Roy Braswell who served in the position for 22 years. According to Davis, he spent much of his youth with his grandfather, watching him complete the duties of a judge and gaining a desire to work as the judge himself.

“From the time I was old enough to remember, I felt called to do this, and for the right reasons,” said Davis. “Not money, not social capital, not any other personal agenda, the moral obligation to keep the office running in the same fashion as it was for my granddaddy at the time.”

Davis presented himself as having the same résumé as his grandfather, who was a trucker when he took on the role. The primary difference between Davis and Braswell, according to Davis, is that he is more tech literate than his grandfather.

Davis promised availability to residents if he were elected, with an open door policy and even his personal phone number made public, as he believes the judge should be the “most available man in Wheeler County.”

“Folks, it’s my life’s ambition to serve you in this way,” said Davis.

The final candidate to speak, Leonard Dennis, spoke about his history as a business manager. Dennis cofounded Dodge Cabinet Company in Eastman, where he served as plant manager before deciding to attend college in 2005.

According to Dennis, his decision to attend college and receive a master’s degree in business administration in 2010 was inspired by his first son’s courage in attending kindergarten for the first time.

“I figured if this little fellow was brave enough to go to school, maybe I should give it a try, too,” said Dennis.

After his education, Dennis would continue to work as a plant manager for other companies, where he would maintain a “commitment to excellence.” However, his first son, Anthony, died due to a heart condition at 19, eventually leading to Dennis switching careers out of a “yearning for something different.”

Dennis began working in the United States Post Office in 2022, then founded People’s Playsets, which sells children’s playsets to families, churches and parks.

According to Dennis, he recounted his story because he believes the commonality between all Wheeler County judges he can remember is a “wealth of life experiences” as opposed to specific training, which all candidates would be required to undergo regardless if elected.

“My decades of leadership and business experience, coupled with passion for professional improvement and my education background should make a clear and definitive argument I am uniquely qualified to serve you,” said Dennis. 

Dennis also promised open office hours and “common sense” policies to be implemented if he were to be elected.

Early voting will begin on Oct. 13, with regular voting scheduled for Nov. 3.