Register to vote by July 7 for General Election and State/Federal Primary
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Planning to vote in the August Bledsoe County General Election and the State/Federal Primary? You have until Tuesday, July 7 to register for the privilege.
Early voting is being held Friday, July 17, through Saturday, August 1 for the General Election and primary. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Monday, July 27. On August 6, those who did not early vote, can vote in their respective precincts.
For questions on registration or to verify district for voting, contact the Bledsoe County Election Administrator Lisa Wheeler at 423-447-2776 or visit her office upstairs in the Bledsoe County Courthouse, 3150 Main Street, Suite 700, Pikeville during regular hours – Monday through Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
BLEDSOE COUNTY
GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES
Following the May primary for Bledsoe County Republican and Democratic candidates, the slate has been set for the August 6 election. Several candidates are running unopposed including Kris Frady [R] for County Mayor, Genese Angel Sapp [R] for County Clerk, Jeanine Boynton for Register of Deeds, Tracey Cagle [R] for Trustee, and Michael Walker [R] for Circuit Court Clerk.
Current Sheriff, Jimmy Morris [R] is being challenged by Clint Holloway [I] for his position.
Incumbent Road Superintendent Benny “Tobe” Smith [R] is being challenged by Independent candidate John “Tim” Simmons in August.
County Commissioners running unopposed in their respective districts are:
District 1, Part A – Ronnie Sapp [R] incumbent
District 1, Part B – Robert Reece [I] incumbent
District 1, Part C – Roy Clay DeBord, Jr. [R] incumbent
District 2, Part A – Steve Heard [R]
District 2, Part B – Andy (Andrew) J. Swafford [R] incumbent
District 3, Part A – Johnny Mack Swafford [R] incumbent
District 3, Part B – Troy Hudson [R]
District 4, Part A – Shawna Walker Farmer [R] incumbent
Matthew Colvard [I]
District 4, Part B – Tanya D. Roberson [D] incumbent
District 5, Part A – Roger L. Simmons [R] incumbent
District 5, Part B – Kerry Smith [R]
District 7, Part A – Ruth Sapp Burton [I] incumbent
District 6, Part B – Perry Swafford [D] incumbent
Three new members of the Bledsoe County Board of Education will be elected. In District 1, Part A and Part B (vote for 2), Leslie Songer Johnson [R], Lehan Reece Winningham [R], and Debora Angel Pompi [D]; District 3, Candy Hudson [R]; and District 5, Sarah V. Foust [R].
STATE AND FEDERAL REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT PRIMARY CANDIDATES
With the redistricting of the Fourth US Congressional District, qualifying candidates appearing on the Republican Primary ballot are Scott DesJarlais of Sherwood, incumbent; Thomas E. Davis of Morrison; Joshua James of Murfreesboro; Harold “Rocky” Jones of Manchester. Democratic candidates are Victoria Broderick of Fayetteville, Mike Cortese of Nashville, Cliff Huffman of Sewanee, Tim Lanier of Nashville, and Joyce E. Neal of Antioch.
The Fourth US Congressional District consists of Bledsoe, Van Buren, Sequatchie, Marion, Grundy, Warren, Franklin, Coffee, Cannon, Rutherford, and a portion of Davidson counties.
US Senator Marsha Blackburn [R] has opted to run for Governor in the upcoming primary leaving her US Senate seat up for grabs. Bill Hagerty of Nashville is the only Republican candidate for the US Senate. Democrats vying to represent their party for the post include Marquita Bradshaw, Memphis; Maria Brewer, Nashville; Kevin Lee McCants, Murfreesboro; Civil Miller-Watkins, Rossville; and Diana Onyejiaka, Antioch.
Vying for the Republican nomination for Governor in addition to Blackburn, of Brentwood, are Monty Fritts, and John Rose. Seeking to be the Democratic nominee are Carnita Atwater, Memphis; Tim Cyr, Gallatin; Jerri Green, Memphis; Adam “Ditch” Kurtz, Nashville; and Kevin Lee McCants, Murfreesboro.
Ron Travis, current Tennessee House of Representatives, District 31, has decided to seek the office of Rhea County Excutive leaving his house seat available. Republicans vying for their party’s nomination are Bledsoe County native, Andy (Andrew) J. Swafford, and Harold “Bo” McCawley, Dayton.
The Democrats have one candidate on their ballot for Representative which is Michael Woodlee.
Candidates for Democratic State Executive Committee are Chris Anderson and Heather McClendon, both of Chattanooga. They represent Bledsoe, Marion, Sequatchie and part of Hamilton counties.
The voter registration deadline for the November election is October 5, with early voting taking place from October 14-29. The absentee ballot request deadline is October 24.
