Qualifying for county elections ended Thursday and Warren County will have a new General Sessions Judge.
Local attorney Ryan J. Moore is the only candidate to qualify for the election, meaning he is expected to assume the office Sept. 1. Incumbent Bill Locke opted not to seek reelection and his term will expire Aug. 31.
“First and foremost, I give God the glory. From day one, I surrendered this race to the Lord and asked Him to put the right people in my path,” said Moore, who noted he will begin taking steps to wind down his private practice. “He blessed me beyond measure with an overwhelming team of energetic supporters and campaign volunteers. It’s very humbling and I’m forever grateful to everyone who has worked on the campaign.”
Moore continued, “Judge Bill Locke set a high bar for the General Sessions bench. I would like to commend him for his work, and I look forward to being a servant of justice. The General Sessions Courts have been called the legal work horse of dispute resolution in Tennessee. It’s the only court most people will ever see because of its broad jurisdiction. It’s a busy court that requires a strong work ethic and I promise to be on schedule, prepared and productive.”
Thursday’s deadline means no more candidates can qualify to run for the numerous county offices up for grabs. However, the field can still change.
“The ballot is not set,” said Warren County administrator of elections Susie Davenport. “Candidates have until Feb. 24 at noon to withdraw and the parties have some time to confirm the candidates who chose to run representing a party.”
Drawing the most interest was County Commission District 2. It looks like it will be a six-person race in August with Republicans Scottie Keel and Cam Montgomery, Democrat Dana Hillis Mullican and Independents Robert Hennessee, Dwight Bouldin and Sommer Walker. Only two seats are available.
Each party can advance two individuals when two seats are available. One vote is required to advance from a primary.
Circuit Court Judge Larry Bart Stanley will face Quentin Scott Horton in the General Election, as long as Horton receives one vote in the primary. He seeks the Republican Party nod May 3.
County Clerk Lesa Scott must defeat newcomer Holly Goolsby Hodges in August in order to retain her office. Both are running as Independents.
County Executive Jimmy Haley will have competition in August, but who it will be from has yet to be determined. Republicans Terry L. Bell and Joseph Stotts are both seeking Republican Party support. Because only one seat is available, only one can advance. The winner will face Haley, who is running as an Independent.
District Attorney General Lisa Zavogiannis will be defending her seat against Chris Stanford in August, once his bid to represent the Republican Party is affirmed in May. Zavogiannis is running as an Independent.
Warren County Sheriff Tommy Myers will face Republican Jackie Matheny Jr. in August, once Matheny is affirmed in May. Myers is running as an Independent.
County Commissioner District 1 will be a three-person race in August. Republicans Ron Lee, Tim Lewis and Ryan Sexton are seeking that ticket in May. Only two can advance. The top two will face Christy Ross, who is running as an Independent.
County Commissioner District 3 will likely be a three-person race in August with Republicans Chris Rippy and Michael S. Wilcher and Independent Kasey Owens.
County Commissioner District 4 will likely be a three-person race in August with Republicans James Hines and Blaine Wilcher and Democrat David Dunlap.
County Commissioner District 5 will likely be a four-person race in August with Tyrone Sparkman (D), Scott Kelly (R) and Independents Brad Hillis and Autumn Malone.
County Commissioner District 6 will likely be a three-person race in August with Republicans Raymond “Ramie” Roberts and Phillip Stout and Independent Donna Smith.
County Commissioner District 9 will likely be a three-person race in August with Republicans Steven D. Helton and Stephen Potter and Independent Carlene Brown.
County Commissioner District 10 will likely be a three-person race in August. The race attracted Gary Prater (D), Harold D. Hyatt (R) and Cole Taylor (I).
County Commissioner District 11 will likely be a four-person race in August with Republicans Matthew Bratcher and Lee Cooper, Democrat Steve Glenn and Independent Michael Bell.
County Commissioner District 12 will likely be a four-person race in August with Republican Kenny Moffitt and Independents Carl D. Bouldin, Tommy Davenport and Daniel Owens.
Running uncontested and guaranteed to return to their current offices are: Circuit Court Clerk Casi Cantrell, Public Defender John Partin, Register of Deeds Wes Williams, Road Superintendent Levie Glenn, Trustee Darlene Bryant, County Commission District 7 Gary C. Martin and Tommy Savage, and County Commission District 8 Randy England and Scott Rubley.
