With qualifying for primaries beginning Monday, only one non-incumbent candidate has announced their intention of running for one of the seven open seats in Decatur County.
Keith Lyle announced his campaign for Decatur County School Board District 2 — a seat currently held by Randall Jones who said he would not be seeking reelection.
Lyle, a financial advisor in Bainbridge said he is running for the office because of his interest in the community as a whole.
“The quality of our educational system in many ways determines the quality of our community,” Lyle said. “Because of this, I am very interested in being a part of such an integral piece of Bainbridge and Decatur County.”
Lyle is a partner and financial advisor with Warren Brannen & Lyle Company in Bainbridge. Lyle said he brings with him experience from several civic leadership roles including his previous role as the chairman of the Bainbridge Decatur County Chamber of Commerce, President of Bainbridge Lions Club, Board member of Bainbridge Decatur County United Way, Board member of Bainbridge Decatur County Salvation Army and Board member of Bainbridge Rotary Club.
Lyle currently serves as Chairman of Bainbridge Decatur County Development Authority and Board member of Decatur County School Foundation.
Closely connected to the Decatur County School System, Lyle has a son, Keith Jr., who has attended Decatur County schools for his entire education and is now in the ninth grade. Lyle’s wife, Tami, is a kindergarten teacher at West Bainbridge Elementary School.