THOMASVILLE — Thomas County Republicans are gearing up for a colossal candidate meet-and-greet.

Tickets are on sale for the pancake supper Tuesday, April 19 at the Exchange Club Fairgrounds, and candidates expected to be hand range from those running for governor and U.S. Senate to local judgeships. 

“It’s incredible,” said county GOP chairman Len Powell. “We thought about it, and said, ‘let’s try it and see.’ It’s unbelievable. I never thought it would be this big of a deal.”

The Thomas County Republicans are expecting to welcome Gov. Brian Kemp, gubernatorial candidate Kandiss Taylor, U.S. Senate candidates Gary Black, Josh Clark, Kevin King, and Latham Saddler, lieutenant governor candidates Jeanne Seaver and Burt Jones, U.S. House 2nd District candidates Vivian Childs, Jeremy Hunt, Wayne Johnson and Chris West, and state school Superintendent Richard Woods and his GOP challenger John Barge. 

Secretary of state candidates Jody Hice and T.J. Hudson are expected to attend.

Also expected to be on hand are Labor Commissioner candidate Bruce Thompson, Agriculture Commissioner candidate Tyler Harper and current Insurance Commissioner John King, who was appointed to the office and is running for election.

Superior Court judge candidate Catherine Smith also is expected, as is incumbent state House District 173 Rep. Darlene Taylor, state House District 172 Rep. Sam Watson and Senate District 11’s Dean Burke.

Gubernatorial candidate David Perdue had a scheduling conflict and is not expected to attend but one of his representatives is anticipated to be there, according to organizers.

“We invited them all and some had conflicts,” Powell said.

For several of the candidates, it will be their first opportunity to have Thomas County voters hear them speak. Positions such as state labor commissioner and state ag commissioner will have new people in place next year, as longtime Labor Commissioner Mark Butler is not running for re-election, and Black opted to seek a U.S. Senate seat over another run as agriculture commissioner. 

“Seeing them face to face will help people make better choices,” Powell said.

Tickets are $21 and may be purchased through thomascountygop.vpweb.com.