Vernon Yates was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He moved to Bainbridge in 2005. 

Meet Vernon Yates

Vernon's run for Bainbridge City Council Member is his entry into politics. 

Vernon is a business owner in Bainbridge.

As of September 3, 2025, Vernon Yates’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Proposed starting more after-school programs where students could do their homework and have access to tutors stationed there.

- Proposed starting more after-school programs where students could do their homework and have access to tutors stationed there.
- Supports transparency in government.

Public Services

Plans to address housing issues in Bainbridge by utilizing Georgia’s Community Home Investment Program (CHIP).

- Plans to address housing issues in Bainbridge by utilizing Georgia’s Community Home Investment Program (CHIP).

Housing & Urban Development

Promises to "fight back against drugs and violence."

- Promises to "fight back against drugs and violence."

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Facebook

Vernon Yates

Candidate website

Vernon Yates was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He moved to Bainbridge in 2005 and lives there with his wife. 

Buket Urgen

Glennie Bench, President Southwest Georgia Oil Company, Inc

Glennie Bench earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Valdosta State University. She lives in Bainbridge with her husband Steve. They have one adult son.

Mary Barber Cox | The Post-Searchlight

Glennie is the president and COO of Southwest Georgia Oil Co. 

PHOTO GALLERY: Foodservice Shines in SunStop Refresh ...

Glennie is currently a Bainbridge City Council member. She was first elected in 2009 and is serving her fourth term.

Meet Glennie Bench 

Wants to continue Bainbridge's "managed growth" by bringing in good-paying jobs across diverse industries, investing in neighborhoods, and attracting families and young people to relocate.

- Wants to continue Bainbridge's "managed growth" by bringing in good-paying jobs across diverse industries, investing in neighborhoods, and attracting families and young people to relocate.

Worked with a recently established cemetery trust to improve city-owned properties, streamline permits and licenses, and extend sewer infrastructure.

Wants to strengthen Memorial Hospital and Manor.

- Worked with a recently established cemetery trust to improve city-owned properties, streamline permits and licenses, and extend sewer infrastructure.
- Wants to strengthen Memorial Hospital and Manor.

Plans to improve housing quality through Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) grants.

- Plans to improve housing quality through Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) grants.

As of September 3, 2025, Glennie C Bench did not have a website or any information online.

LinkedIn

Glennie C Bench

Glennie is currently a member of the Bainbridge City Council. She was first elected in 2009 and is currently serving her fourth term.

As of September 3, 2025, Glennie C Bench’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Glennie is currently a Bainbridge City Council member. 

Said "We did save the train, 30 years ago, and we should be proud of that," but lamented letting the train go due to lack of financial resources to keep it from deteriorating further.

Lamented letting the train go but said the Bainbridge city government didn’t have the financial resources to keep the train from deteriorating further.

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 