Organizers have canceled tonight's debate at McKee's Chapel.

The event was set to be the first debate of the political season for candidates vying to be Dawson County's next sheriff.

Retired lawman and organizer Mickey Gilbertson said a possible complaint was brought to his attention regarding where the debate was being held.

"I'm so sorry for this but the church administration and pastor have decided to cancel until we hear from the lawyers," he said.

Gilbertson said he hopes to be able to reschedule in the near future.

Four-term Sheriff Billy Carlisle announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection.

Those running are: Maj. Jeff Johnson, commander of the Dawson County Jail; Jeff Perry, retired chief parole officer for the state of Georgia; Frank Sosebee, chief of security for the Hall County Correctional Institution; and Capt. Tony Wooten, Dawson County Sheriff's public information officer and community policing program supervisor.

Qualifying for the sheriff's race will be held March 7-11, with the primary election set for May 24. In the event there is a runoff, that election will be held July 26.

If no democrats seek the office, the primary winner would be the new sheriff and would take office Jan. 1, 2017.