Donna Barrett named to Tennessee State Election Commission

NASHVILLE -Former state Rep. Donna Rowland Barrett has been appointed to the Tennessee State Election Commission, Secretary of State Tré Hargett said Wednesday.

Barrett is principal of The Barrett Group, a business consulting firm, and is from Murfreesboro. The Republican served 10 years in the state House representing part of Rutherford County.

The seven-member State Election Commission appoints county election commissioners in all of Tennessee's 95 counties and monitors their activities and performance. The panel also works closely with the state coordinator of elections to ensure elections are run in a uniform fashion.

"I'm pleased Commissioner Barrett is willing to complete this term," Hargett said in a news release. "I know she will continue her public service with distinction by working to ensure elections in this state are fair and impartial."

Barrett called it an "honor to serve in this capacity."

State Election Coordinator Mark Goins, who formerly served with Barrett in the House, said she will "make a great state election commissioner."

Barrett is married to Ronnie Barrett, founder of Barrett Firearms Manufacturing.

She replaces former Election Commissioner Tom DuBois, who left after he qualified to serve as a Circuit Court judge in the 22nd Judicial District. Appointments to the state panel are customarily made by the General Assembly, but in this case Barrett was appointed by election commissioners because state lawmakers adjourned their annual session in April.

Hargett's office said Barrett's legislative experience will be "an added benefit to the commission." Barrett was first elected as a state representative in November 2000.

Prior to her retirement in November 2010, she served on several legislative committees, including the Fiscal Review Committee, a watchdog over state spending and finances.

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