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Democrats continue to oppose Smiley on Hall elections board
Lakewood Baptist pastor, Republicans try to smooth tensions
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Tom Smiley, left, talks with Kimberly Copeland, middle, after the Hall County Board of Elections meeting on Tuesday. Seated at right is Gala Sheats, who along with fellow Democrat Copeland is opposing Smiley's appointment as chairman of the board.
The Rev. Tom Smiley, new chairman of the Hall County Board of Elections, emphasized his integrity and professionalism amid steadfast opposition from the board’s Democratic members on Tuesday. It was Smiley’s first board meeting since being appointed by the Hall County Board of Commissioners on Thursday. He’s the pastor of Lakewood Baptist Church and a conservative religious leader in Gainesville. His appointment attracted criticism from the Democratic members of the board, Kimberly Copeland and Gala Sheats, who argue that his public pronouncements should disqualify him from holding the nonpartisan position.