DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County Elections Supervisor Glenda Ferguson confirmed Tuesday that Robert Wiley, a retired U.S. Army major and combat veteran, has qualified to run for the District 2 Board of Commissioners seat as an independent in November.

Wiley needed to obtain the signatures of 5 percent of Dawson County’s registered voters (about 661) on a nomination petition. Ferguson said her office certified the signatures of 665.

Wiley’s opponent is Republican Chris Gaines who defeated Tim Davis in the May General Primary election.

Wiley, a junior ROTC instructor at Dawson County High School, said he is a Republican but missed the deadline to qualify for the General Primary after just completing his Masters Degree in Public Administration.