John Loyd and Brad Whitfield secured the top two positions in unofficial returns for the Cobb County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Nov. 3 election.
Loyd, an incumbent, received 212,467 votes. Whitfield followed with 165,704, while Frank Wigington received 81,791, according to the county’s unofficial results.
Voters could select two candidates. Loyd’s total represented approximately 46.2% of candidate votes cast, compared with 36% for Whitfield and 17.8% for Wigington. Those figures are not shares of individual voters.
The Marietta Daily Journal reported Nov. 5 that all precincts had reported by Wednesday morning. The returns remain unofficial.
One incumbent and one newcomer
Loyd first joined the district board through the 2022 election, according to his district biography. His reelection would retain an experienced supervisor while Whitfield would join the board for the first time.
Whitfield is an arborist with Crestline Engineering and a Kell High School graduate, the MDJ reported. His professional background includes reviewing development plans and enforcing tree ordinances while working for Cobb County.
Wigington, a landscaping business owner and Sprayberry High School graduate, finished outside the two winning positions.
What the district does
The district’s work includes conservation education, land stewardship and support for local agriculture. Its fiscal year 2026 report highlights participation in the Cobb County Wellness Garden, agricultural education activities and community events.
The district works with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and other partners. It is distinct from Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division, which issues construction stormwater permits.
Cobb’s five-member board has three elected supervisors and two appointed supervisors. Georgia has 40 conservation districts; elected supervisors serve four-year terms and appointed supervisors serve two-year terms, according to the state commission.
Certification comes next
Cobb’s Board of Elections and Registration is scheduled to certify county returns at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta, according to the county’s announcement.
