In separate Democrat and Republican primaries, area voters will go to the polls Aug. 5 to nominate party candidates for Tennessee state Senate and House seats, to be decided in the November general election.
Surprisingly, all the local Democrat and Republican candidates are unopposed in their respective primaries.
Outstanding Republican state Sen. Bo Watson has neither Republican nor Democrat primary opposition, and thus is assured of re-election to his 11th District Senate seat in November.
Also facing neither August primary nor November general election opposition -- and thus assured of victory -- are 26th District Republican state Rep. Gerald McCormick, 27th District Republican Rep. Richard Floyd, 29th District Democrat Rep. JoAnne Favors, 30th District Republican Rep. Vince Dean and 31st District Republican Rep. Jim Cobb.
Unopposed in her Democrat primary is 28th District Rep. Tommie Brown. But in the general election, Rep. Brown will face Republican opponent Teresa Wood, who is unopposed in her GOP primary.
Lack of opposition in most of these races would seem to suggest that constituents are pleased with their incumbents' performance in office.