As voters prepare for the May 19, 2026 General Primary, Habersham News asked the candidates for District 2 of the Habersham County Board of Commissioners the same set of questions about their experience, priorities, and the issues facing the county.
The candidates are Andrea Harper and Shelley Tullis.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of their responses so readers can easily see where each candidate stands.
What inspired you to run for District 2 County Commissioner?
| Andrea Harper | Shelley Tullis |
|---|---|
| “I’ve been encouraged to run by a lot of my friends and constituents, mainly because of my past service on the county commission. I think the county right now is at a pivotal time in the county’s history. We are facing some really tough issues when it comes to growth, and I think that that is what has really inspired me. I think that someone with experience needs to step in and make those hard decisions.” | “Basically, what inspired me is that I care about protecting our community and making sure citizens have a voice in county decisions. I believe we need leadership that is transparent, accountable, and focused on protecting taxpayers. I also believe we must be very careful with growth. Habersham County doesn’t need rapid expansion that changes the character of our community. Any growth should be responsible, controlled, and fit the rural character of our county.” |
Tell us about the experience you bring to the position.
| Andrea Harper | Shelley Tullis |
|---|---|
| “I served on the county commission for eight years, and there is a learning curve, but you get to know how the county works, what the county offers, what the county’s responsibilities are. And yes, I’ve been off the commission for eight years but while the players may have changed, the basic principles of running this county have stayed the same.” | “I currently serve on the Habersham County Parks and Rec Board, the Mount Airy Civic Association, and I’m the general manager of the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair. These roles have given me experience working with the community, managing large operations, and understanding the needs of our community.” |
What are the most pressing issues facing the county?
| Andrea Harper | Shelley Tullis |
|---|---|
| “There are several. Growth is one. And we’ve been real lucky. We have a really good planning commission, and they are reviewing right now the codes for the county as far as building goes and they’re going to lower the density in the county. But one of the other issues is our landfill. We’re at capacity and we need to think about how we’re going to handle that because we not only take the county’s garbage, we also take the cities. And as the cities grow that puts more strain on our landfill.” | “Growth and development is the issue I hear the most about. Many residents are concerned about the rapid development changing our community and putting a strain on our infrastructure, which often leaves taxpayers to foot the bill. Residents want a real voice in decisions that affect their property and quality of life. I want to keep Habersham the way Habersham is.” |
How would you ensure taxpayer money is spent responsibly?
| Andrea Harper | Shelley Tullis |
|---|---|
| “The county is actually doing budget reviews this week. They meet with every department and review the budget. You need to know what they need and what they’re asking for. Sometimes they ask for the moon and you can’t give them the moon — you can only give them the stars. You only have a finite amount of money, so you’ve got to decide what services need what funding. That is a real challenge.” | “First, by asking questions and making sure every dollar spent serves a clear need for the community. I believe in reviewing the budget carefully, looking for unnecessary spending, and making sure county departments are using resources efficiently. Taxpayer money should be treated with respect, and major decisions should always be made with the long-term financial impact in mind.” |
If you could accomplish just one goal as commissioner, what would it be?
| Andrea Harper | Shelley Tullis |
|---|---|
| “I’m hoping to slow down growth, but you have to remember the county doesn’t have water or sewer and county commissioners do not control the cities. The cities set their own destiny. Maybe through annexation you could slow it somewhat, but even that is risky.” | “My top goal would be protecting the character of Habersham County. I want to make sure our community doesn’t lose what makes it special because of decisions made too quickly or without listening to the people who live here.” |
Closing statements
| Andrea Harper | Shelley Tullis |
|---|---|
| “I want the citizens, city or county, to know that they can call me. Open communication is very important. Most people just want someone they can talk to. I’d like people to remember my eight years of service. I was a full-time commissioner then and I plan on being a full-time commissioner again. Having that experience really counts during this pivotal time in our county.” | “To me, Habersham County is a special place, and I want to protect it. If elected, I will focus on responsible leadership, protecting taxpayers, and making sure our community voices are heard.” |
Habersham News would like to thank both District 2 candidates for taking the time to share their thoughts and perspectives with our readers. We appreciate their willingness to participate and help voters better understand where they stand on the issues facing our community.
Habersham County voters will head to the polls for the General Primary on May 19, 2026.
Habersham News will also publish interviews with the candidates running for District 3 county commissioner later this week.
