Long County District 5 candidates outline priorities

LONG COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Long County elections are quickly approaching and on the ballot is an open seat on the County Commission for District 5.

Three candidates and three priorities for Long County District 5.

The open seat comes after former County Commissioner Robert Parker’s resigned in August after being arrested by the GBI in February of 2025.

Benji Strickland, Lacy Hines, and Jonathan Castillo are all vying for the seat, saying they believe they have what it takes to get the county on track.

Strickland was unable to meet with us in person but says he is confident that his knowledge of the county, and strict budgeting help get it the County back on its feet after recent financial problems.

Lacy Hines says he says he has seen a difference in the county and how it was being run, and through transparency he hopes to restore the faith and trust in the commissioners.

“When things come down the pipe, I would like to address it with my district,” said Hines. “Let them know that it’s coming down, what’s going on, to establish a meeting system every quarter.”

Self-proclaimed outsider Jonathan Castillo says he has only lived in the county for around 3 years, and in the south just over a decade. He says that he hopes to bring his northern urgency into county structure to ensure that things get done in a timely fashion.

“I do think that gives me an advantage, it gives me a different mindset of giving ideas to participate with fellow commissioners as well as to get more info from our citizens,” said Castillo.

The county has found themselves in financial turmoil in recent years and county residents were left footing the bill.

The county manager has told WTOC that several times across the past year the county has struggled to make payroll and ultimately ended up having to cut down county staffing.

Regaining trust and getting a grip on the county’s budget are two hurdles the candidates say they have the determination for.

“I think I’m the right one,” said Castillo.

“I believe I can get it back on track,” said Lacy.