• Ronald M. Miller (R)

Age: 50

Party: GOP

Employment: Disabled with veteran benefits

Why are you running for this office?

His reason for running was originally initiated when he felt a substantial tax increase on his home was in the wrong, and he eventually had the increase lowered through a board of equalization review. ... His interest in the office heightened when he saw tax increases on the property of elderly people on fixed incomes. “To see retired people having to sell their homes to get out of it. ... How can you do that to someone who has worked all his life?”

What qualifications do you bring to the position?

He is a former circulation district manager with The Valdosta Daily Times in the 1970s, and worked his way up to circulation manager in papers from Key West, Fla., and Marianna, Fla., as well as other locations into the 1990s. As a circulation manager, he dealt with various aspects of management, auditing, and other duties.

Do you think elected assessors should have to follow the same mandates on education and qualifications as the appointed ones do?

“I do.” He says assessors should get all of the education possible. Because Lowndes County tax assessors are elected, they can apply this education to better benefit the taxpayers and homeowners. He shares the story of a recent political rally where he asked the three incumbent tax assessors about who to speak with concerning homestead exemptions. He said the incumbents didn’t share an answer, but fellow challenger David DeMersseman “knew exactly where to go.”

What are your plans if you are elected?