Craig Lutz, R-Flowery Branch, filed papers Thursday to qualify for a seat on the Public Service Commission’s District 4. Lutz had previously announced his intention to join the race, which also includes Douglas Kidd, R-Lavonia, and incumbent Bubba McDonald, R-Clarkesville.

Paul Wayne Godfrey, R-Flowery Branch, filed papers Thursday to challenge incumbent Bill Thompson, R-Oakwood, for the Hall County Board of Education at-large seat.

Two statewide seats including local candidates also drew more challengers Thursday.

Nathan Deal, R-Gainesville, will now face John Barge, R-Rome, along with Jason Carter, D-Atlanta, and David Pennington, R-Dalton, in the governor’s race. All had previously announced intentions to run.

Ashley Bell, R-Gainesville, is in a crowded race for state school superintendent that drew one more Republican candidate on Thursday, Michael Buck, R-Rome. The race now also includes three more Democrats: Jurita Mays of Decatur, Alisha Morgan of Austell and Rita Robinzine of Lithonia. Those previously filing for the seat include Mary Bacallao, R-Fayetteville; Sharyl Dawes, R-Johns Creek; Allen Fort, R-Valdosta; Denise Freeman, D-Tignall; Nancy Jester, R-Dunwoody; Fitz Johnson, R-Marietta; Kira Willis, R-Roswell; and Richard Woods, R-Tifton.

Local candidates who filed papers to qualify for races earlier this week include the following:

• US House, District 9: Doug Collins, R-Gainesville (incumbent), facing David Vogel, D-Hull
• Lieutenant governor: Casey Cagle, R-Chestnut Mountain (incumbent), facing Connie Stokes, D-Atlanta
• State House, District 27: Lee Hawkins, R-Gainesville (incumbent)
• State House, District 29: Carl Rogers, R-Gainesville (incumbent)
• State House, District 30: Emory Dunahoo, R-Gainesville (incumbent)
• State House, District 103: Timothy Barr, R-Lawrenceville (incumbent)
• State Senate, District 49: Butch Miller, R-Gainesville (incumbent)
• State Senate, District 50: John Wilkinson, R-Toccoa (incumbent)
• Judge of Superior Court, Northeastern: Jason Deal, nonpartisan, Gainesville (incumbent)
• Judge of Superior Court, Northeastern: Andrew Fuller, nonpartisan, Gainesville (incumbent)
• District Attorney, Northeastern: Lee Darragh, R-Gainesville (incumbent)
• State solicitor: Stephanie Woodard, R-Gainesville (incumbent)
• State court judge: Larry Baldwin, nonpartisan, Murrayville (incumbent)
• Hall County Board of Commissioners, District 1: Ken Cochran, R-Flowery Branch, and Kathy Cooper, R- Chestnut Mountain
• Hall County Board of Commissioners, District 3: Scott Gibbs, R-Gainesville (incumbent)
• Hall County Board of Education, Post 1: Sam Chapman, R-Gainesville (incumbent)
• Hall County Board of Education, Post 2: Traci Lawson McBride, R-Braselton; Mark Pettitt, R-Chestnut Mountain; and Brian Sloan, R-Chestnut Mountain (incumbent)

The qualifying period for candidates to run for elected office in Hall County began at 9 a.m. Monday and ends at noon Friday.

Prospective candidates must file a notice of candidacy, an affidavit and pay qualifying fees. The fees constitute 3 percent of the salary for each office plus supplements.

The fee is $189 for Board of Commissioners posts; $216 for Board of Education posts; $4,876 for state court judge; and $4,355 for solicitor of state court.

Candidates must meet a number of qualifications to run, including being a registered voter, not being a convicted felon, not owing any taxes and being a resident of the county.

Republican candidates file for qualification at the law office of Paul Stanley, 112 Academy St. NE, Gainesville.

Democratic candidates will file with the Hall County elections office, 2875 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville.

Qualifying for statewide, federal and some judicial offices is held elsewhere.