While Bradley County’s sheriff race has drawn a lot of attention because of the wide-open seat, election officials say sheriff’s races always are among the highest-profile elections in the state.
“(The) sheriff’s race and presidential (race) are the two races that will bring most of your voters out,” said Rhea County Election Administrator Theresa Snyder.
Party primaries are in May and the general election is in August. The deadline to qualify as a candidate is Feb. 18.
As that deadline draws closer, several East Tennessee counties have challengers putting their hats in the race against incumbents.
In Sequatchie County, challengers Paul Mahoney and Randall Phillips Jr. have announced they are running against Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock, according to the election commission. Sequatchie does not hold primary elections.
In McMinn County, Sheriff Steve Frisbie has a Republican primary challenger, Joe Guy. On the Democratic side, David Guy is seeking nomination, election official Debbie Axley said.
“It’s going to be an interesting year,” Ms. Axley said.
Meigs County Sheriff Walter Hickman faces a challenge from Jackie Melton in the Republican primary, while Jon Wilson has filed in the Democratic primary, according to the election commission.
In Marion County, two Democrats have filed for the right to take on Sheriff Ronnie “Bo” Burnett, a Republican, Elections Administrator Holly Henegar said. Ronnie Davis Jr. is the chief of police in Whitwell, Tenn., and Lonnie Ray Bradford is a deputy in Grundy County, she said.
In Grundy County, the only one to pick up papers in the sheriff’s race so far is incumbent Brent Myers, said Election Administrator Donna Basham.
In Rhea County, Sheriff Mike Neal, a Democrat, has only one challenger so far: Republican candidate Mike Sneed, according to Ms. Snyder.
No Republican has picked up papers for Polk County sheriff, said Doris Wise, the election administrator. Democratic Sheriff Bill Davis has one challenger, William “Rocky” King, she said.
Bledsoe County Sheriff Jimmy Morris, completing his first term, could face a crowded field, said Lisa Wheeler, the election administrator. Republican Jim Cooke and Democrats Roy Pelfrey and John Pompi have picked up papers. Independents Lonnie Evans and Jamie Thompson also have said they will run, Ms. Wheeler said.
Since Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble announced he was running for the 3rd District congressional seat, several candidates are trying to gain that office.
Hoping for the Republican nomination are Emary Bryant, Ralph Creel, Larry Dill, James Ruth and James Smith. Steve Lawson is the only Democrat in the race so far, according to the election office’s Web site.
U.S. Rep Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., is vacating the congressional seat to run for governor.