Voter & Election Information | Cherokee County Democrats

Charles Ravenscraft is a father and husband.

Charles is an electrician. He is a union member at IBEW Local 613.

Charles Ravenscraft (Cherokee County Commission, District 1 ...

Charles's campaign for Cherokee County Commissioner, District 1 is his first entry into politics. 

As of August 20, 2025, Charles Ravenscraft’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Supports increasing pay for first responders and county employees to attract top talent.

Supports taxing corporate-owned single-family homes.

Supports introducing a tax on storage units.

- Supports increasing pay for first responders and county employees to attract top talent.
- Supports lowering taxes.
- Supports taxing corporate-owned single-family homes.
- Supports increasing the hotel tax.
- Supports introducing a tax on storage units.

Economy

Public Safety

Plans to implement conservative zoning policies to protect rural areas and reduce home prices.

- Plans to implement conservative zoning policies to protect rural areas and reduce home prices.

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Charles Ravenscraft

Charles Ravenscraft is an electrician, father, husband, and a proud union man. He has been the IBEW 613 Treasurer for five years, regularly managing multimillion-dollar accounts and ensuring each cent is accounted for.

Charles is an electrician. He works at IBEW Local 613, where he has been a member for several years. He previously served as the treasurer of IBEW 613 for five years, managing multimillion-dollar accounts and ensuring accurate financial reporting.

As of August 20, 2025, Charles Ravenscraft did not have a website or any information online.

Buket Urgen

Supports taxing corporate-owned single-family homes to address housing inventory and price-fixing issues.

Jonathan Browning is from Alpharetta, Georgia. He attended Milton High School. He lives with his wife, Sara, and their two children in east Cherokee.

Jonathan Browning (Cherokee County Commission, District 1 ...

Jonathan's campaign for Cherokee County Commissioner, District 1, is his first entry into politics. 

Plans to keep residents informed and represent the concerns of adjacent property owners in future land use development plans.

Plans to keep residents informed and represent the concerns of nearby property owners.

- Plans to keep residents informed and represent the concerns of nearby property owners.

Plans to "cut waste," balance the budget, and expand county revenue.

Plans to "cut waste," balance the budget, and expand county funding options.

- Plans to "cut waste," balance the budget, and expand county funding options.

Supports "fully funding" police, fire, and emergency medical services.

- Opposes privatized emergency services.
- Supports "fully funding" police, fire, and emergency medical services.

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Supports policies prioritizing homeownership for residents over corporate rental investors.

Supports capping annual increases in assessed home value to prevent sudden spikes in tax bills.

Supports limiting yearly increases in assessed home value to prevent sudden increases in tax bills.

Promises to advocate for rural residents and agricultural stakeholders to have a strong say in zoning, land use, and development policies affecting their way of life.

Promises to advocate for rural residents in zoning, land use, and development policies.

Supports limiting all multifamily housing and R20 and lower dwelling to within city limits.

Supports limiting all multifamily housing and apartments to within city limits.

- Supports policies prioritizing homeownership for residents over corporate rental investors.
- Supports limiting yearly increases in assessed home value to prevent sudden increases in tax bills.
- Promises to advocate for rural residents in zoning, land use, and development policies.
- Supports limiting all multifamily housing and apartments to within city limits.

Believes in a "smarter approach to traffic" that prioritizes safety, flow, and long-term planning, rather than "quick fixes and reactive spending."

Believes in a "smarter approach to traffic" that prioritizes safety, flow, and long-term planning, rather than "quick fixes."

- Believes in a "smarter approach to traffic" that prioritizes safety, flow, and long-term planning, rather than "quick fixes."

As of August 20, 2025, Jonathan Browning’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jonathan Browning

Jonathan Browning's campaign for Cherokee County Commissioner, District 1 is his first entry into politics. 

- Supports impact fees, developer infrastructure agreements, and cost-sharing requirements to ensure growth funds the roads, schools, and services it impacts, rather than burdening long-time residents.

- Plans to preserve rural land, promote conservation easements, and stop suburban sprawl.

Supports rural residents and agricultural stakeholders having a strong say in zoning, land use, and development policies.

Promises to keep residents informed and represent the concerns of adjacent property owners in future land use development plans.

Supports reviewing how assessed values are calculated and pushing for greater weight on long-term ownership stability vs. short-term market spikes.

Supports introducing a rule that triggers automatic review for properties whose assessments rise more than a certain percentage in one year (e.g., 15%).

Justin Page Announces Run for Cherokee County Commissioner ...

Justin Page is from Canton, Georgia. He lives with his wife, Brittany, and their son, William, in Canton.

Justin owns Page Relocation, a moving company.

Justin's campaign for Cherokee County Commissioner, District 1 is his first entry into politics.

As of August 20, 2025, Justin Page’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to prioritize public safety and first responders.

- Plans to prioritize public safety and first responders.

Supports pausing high-density housing development where infrastructure is lacking.

Said that “one size fits all policy” on affordable housing will not work in Cherokee and it’s important to bring the correct type of affordable housing that matches the area.

Supports affordable housing that aligns with the county's planning, zoning, and character.

Opposes "overdevelopment" and accepting proposals from developers.

- Supports pausing high-density housing development where infrastructure is lacking.
- Said that “one size fits all policy” on affordable housing will not work in Cherokee and it’s important to bring the correct type of affordable housing that matches the area.
- Supports affordable housing that aligns with the county's planning, zoning, and character.
- Opposes "overdevelopment."

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Justin Page

Justin Page is from Canton, Georgia. He is a fourth-generation Cherokee County native. He lives with his wife, Brittany, and their son, William, in Canton.

Supports a temporary pause on high-density housing development where infrastructure is lacking.

Rick Whiteside has a Ph.D. in Wildlife Science from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Economic Zoology from Clemson University. He and his wife, Patricia (Patti) Dillingham Whiteside, have four adult children and seven grandchildren. They have lived in Waleska since 2006 and are members of Canton First Baptist Church.

Rick Whiteside (Cherokee County Commission, District 1, Georgia ...

This is Rick's first time running for public office. 

Supports expanding recreational opportunities in Cherokee County, particularly in underserved areas of District 1.

- Supports expanding recreational opportunities in Cherokee County, particularly in underserved areas of District 1.

Supports the Host Tax, believing it will lower property taxes and fund road improvements.

Believes targeted economic development creates high-paying jobs and helps keep property taxes low.

- Supports the Host Tax, believing it will lower property taxes and fund road improvements.
- Believes targeted economic development creates high-paying jobs and helps keep property taxes low.

Supports law enforcement and plans to "continue to improve" public safety.

- Supports law enforcement and plans to "continue to improve" public safety.

Wants to reduce regulations that increase housing prices and focus on affordable housing for teachers and first responders.

Believes the county should adhere to its land use plan, even if it doesn't allow for affordable housing in District 1.

Opposes high-density developments in District 1, emphasizing the need to preserve the rural landscape of farmsteads and larger lot subdivisions for future generations.

Opposes high-density developments in District 1, to preserve the rural landscape of farms and larger land plots for future generations.

- Wants to reduce regulations that increase housing prices and focus on affordable housing for teachers and first responders.
- Believes the county should adhere to its land use plan, even if it doesn't allow for affordable housing in District 1.
- Opposes high-density developments in District 1, to preserve the rural landscape of farms and larger land plots for future generations.

Supports targeted road improvements like turn lanes, roundabouts, and signal enhancements, and maintaining existing roads to maximize public safety.

- Supports targeted road improvements like turn lanes, roundabouts, and signal enhancements, and maintaining existing roads to maximize public safety.

As of August 20, 2025, Rick Whiteside’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

Rick Whiteside

Rick is currently a member of the Cherokee County Planning Commission. He has served on the commission since 2010 and has been vice chair since 2019. 

Robert L. Ridley is from North Georgia. He and his wife Debbie have three children.  He attends Christ Episcopal Church.

Robert is a small business owner. He has operated KB's Grill and Pub in Kennesaw since 1991 and also owns North Georgia Deer Processing with his son, Tyler.

Robert L. Ridley (Cherokee County Commission, District 1, Georgia ...

Robert's campaign for Cherokee County Commissioner, District 1, is his first entry into politics. 

As of August 20, 2025, Robert L. Ridley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports reducing taxes for families and small businesses.

Plans to establish a county DOGE department to improve efficiency and reduce wasteful spending.

Opposes privatizing emergency medical services (EMS) to protect lives and jobs.

Opposes privatizing emergency medical services (EMS).

- Supports reducing taxes for families and small businesses.
- Plans to establish a county DOGE department to improve efficiency and reduce wasteful spending.
- Opposes privatizing emergency medical services (EMS).

Supports law enforcement and plans to provide the Cherokee County Sheriff's office with necessary resources to combat fentanyl, undocumented immigrants, violent gangs, and human traffickers.

- Supports law enforcement and plans to provide the Cherokee County Sheriff's office with necessary resources to combat fentanyl, undocumented immigrants, violent gangs, and human traffickers.

Plans to work with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to reduce traffic and enhance infrastructure using state funds.

Plans to work with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to reduce traffic and improve infrastructure using state funds.

- Plans to work with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to reduce traffic and improve infrastructure using state funds.

Supports protecting wildlife and nature to preserve rural identity and ensure future generations have a "great environment."

- Supports protecting wildlife and nature to preserve rural identity and ensure future generations have a "great environment."

Twitter

Robert L. Ridley

Robert L. Ridley is a lifelong resident of North Georgia. He and his wife Debbie have three children, all of whom graduated from the Cherokee County public schools. He built his house just outside of Ballground in 1996. He attends church with his family at Christ Episcopal Church.

Robert is a small business owner. He has operated KB's Grill and Pub in Kennesaw since 1991 and also owns North Georgia Deer Processing with his son Tyler.

Plans to preserve and protect Cherokee County's quality of life.

Will Cagle (Cherokee County Commission, District 1, Georgia ...

Will Cagle is from Cherokee County. He attended Appalachian Technical College. He is a father of four and lives with his family in Cherokee County. He is a member of the Baptist church.

Will Cagle Announces Run for Cherokee County Commission ...

Will is a small business owner. He owns a masonry company serving all of North Georgia. Will previously served in the US Marine Corps. 

Will's campaign for Cherokee County Commissioner, District 1 is his first entry into politics. 

Supports county-level incentives, like tax credits and services, to increase the number of certified foster parents in Cherokee County.

- Supports county-level incentives, like tax credits and services, to increase the number of certified foster parents in Cherokee County.

Supports reducing the tax burden on homeowners by finding alternative revenue sources to fund public services.

Supports finding different funding sources for public services to reduce taxes on homeowners.

Supports keeping local tax dollars in the community by requiring county construction contracts to prioritize local contractors and subcontractors.

Supports requiring county construction contracts to prioritize local contractors and subcontractors.

Supports establishing local think tanks to develop strategies for increasing revenue, strengthening public services, and easing the tax burden on residents.

Supports establishing local think tanks to develop strategies for increasing revenue and improving public services.

Plans to implement an Asset Management Program to ensure responsible stewardship, proper maintenance, and accurate accounting of all county-owned property to further offset needless and wasteful spending.

Plans to implement an Asset Management Program to ensure proper maintenance and accurate accounting of all county-owned property to limit wasteful spending.

- Supports finding different funding sources for public services to reduce taxes on homeowners.
- Supports requiring county construction contracts to prioritize local contractors and subcontractors.
- Supports establishing local think tanks to develop strategies for increasing revenue and improving public services.
- Plans to implement an Asset Management Program to ensure proper maintenance and accurate accounting of all county-owned property to limit wasteful spending.

As of August 20, 2025, Will Cagle’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports policies that reduce barriers and encourage large lot development and Conservation Design Communities.

Supports streamlining regulations to encourage subdividing into spacious, low-density lots and reducing infrastructure mandates.

Supports reducing property taxes and finding ways to create affordable housing in District 1.

- Supports streamlining regulations to encourage subdividing into spacious, low-density lots and reducing infrastructure mandates.
- Supports reducing property taxes and finding ways to create affordable housing in District 1.

Supports reducing traffic and improving roads by securing full funding from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

Supports reducing traffic and improving roads by securing funding from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

- Supports reducing traffic and improving roads by securing funding from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).

Will Cagle

Will Cagle is from Cherokee County. He attended Cherokee High School and Appalachian Technical College. He is a father of four and lives with his family in Cherokee County. He is a member of the Baptist church.

Will is a small business owner. He owns a masonry company serving all of North Georgia. 

Will Cagle's campaign for Cherokee County Commissioner, District 1 is his first entry into politics. 

As of August 20, 2025, Will Cagle did not have a website or any information online.

Supports policies that reduce barriers and incentivize larger lot development with minimum acreage and Conservation Design Communities.

Wants to reduce the tax burden on homeowners by finding alternative revenue sources to fund public safety services.

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Cherokee County Commissioner, District 1

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (6)