CLEVELAND, Tenn. – No last-second names surfaced Thursday when the deadline passed for candidates to qualify for state-office party primaries and local nonpartisan races.
In the 9th Senate District, the only candidates are Cleveland’s Lou Patten and state Rep. Mike Bell of Athens, Tenn. No Democrat qualified.
Incumbent Dewayne Bunch is not seeking re-election in the district that includes Bradley, Polk, McMinn and Monroe counties.
Incumbents Eric Watson and Kevin Brooks are unopposed in the GOP primary for Tennessee House Districts 22 and 24, respectively. No Democrats filed.
“Bradley County is the most Republican county in the state,” according to U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., now a Republican gubernatorial candidate.
One of Rep. Wamp’s competitors, Robin Smith, said at last weekend’s GOP dinner that she agrees with his assessment based on her former work as chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.
Other local offices on the August primary ballot, including City Council and school board, are nonpartisan.
At Thursday’s deadline, incumbent Bambi Hines faces challengers Aleene Hixson, Charlie McKenzie and former Councilman Floyd Wade for Cleveland City Council District 1.
Incumbent Bill Estes is unopposed in District 2, and incumbent Richard Banks has no opposition as one of two at-large council members.
Mayor Tom Rowland has one challenger, Anthony Ownby.
Cleveland Board of Education members Dawn Robinson, Peggy Pesterfield and Tom Cloud are unopposed.
Richard Shaw is a candidate for an at-large school board seat. He would replace Bill Brown, who is not seeking re-election.
On the Bradley County Board of Education, William T. Bates, Vicky Beaty and Richard McAlister are seeking the District 2 seat. Mark Grissom is not seeking re-election. In the District 4 race, incumbent Troy Weathers faces a challenge from David Crane.
In District 6, school board member Christy Critchfield faces opposition from Garry Headrick and Barry Phillips.
The county primary election is May 4. Winners in county partisan and nonpartisan races will be on the Aug. 5 county general election ballot along with partisan primary candidates in state and national races.
The Republican sheriff candidate will face Democrat Steve Lawson.