NASHVILLE - Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Boyd today announced the addition of two dozen more Tennessee mayors and law enforcement officials, including Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond.
Other local officials include Soddy-Daisy Mayor Robert Cothran and East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert. In Knoxville, Knox County Sheriff-elect Tom Spangler also endorsed Boyd, a Knoxville entrepreneur and former state economic and community development commissioner.
The campaign says the latest announcements bring the number of city and county mayors to more than 120 with another local law enforcement leaders advising and supporting Boyd as well.
Boyd said in a news release that he is "grateful to these outstanding leaders for their confidence and support. One thing I've seen first-hand is that government governs best closest to home, and when I'm Governor, we will work to bring the power back home where it works best and where it belongs."
He said local officials "know their own citizens. They see them every day at the grocery store, the barbershop, and around their community. Local leaders are the ones people call when they have an issue. As Governor, I am going to do everything I can to support them."
Boyd has said he's pledged to be the first governor who will appoint a second deputy to the governor who will be focused solely on supporting and boosting local governments while serving as a main point person on key projects and activities between county and city leaders and his administration.
The Knoxville businessman is competing with U.S. Rep. Diane Black of Gallatin, Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell of Nashville and Franklin businessman Bill Lee of Franklin in the Aug. 2 primary. Early voting in the contest starts July 13.
The list of Local officials' endorsements:
The list of Local officials' endorsements announced today by the Boyd campaign are: * Melville Bailey, Mayor, Hawkins County * Terry Richardson, Mayor, Perry County * James Berrong, Sheriff, Blount County * Blair Weaver, Sheriff, Chester County * Jim Hammond, Sheriff, Hamilton County * Tom Spangler, Sheriff-Elect, Knox County * Guy Buck, Sheriff, McNairy County * Terry Wolfe, Mayor, Bean Station * Brent Lambert, Mayor, East Ridge * Mike Palazzolo, Mayor, Germantown * Mary Anne Gibson, Vice-Mayor, Germantown * Diane Poole, Mayor, Gleason * Cindy McAdams, Mayor, Greenfield * Bobby King, Mayor, Henderson * Marvin Sikes, Mayor, Humboldt * Dale Kelley, Mayor, Huntingdon * Chuck Vest, Mayor-Elect, Jonesborough * Jeff Griggs, Mayor, Lexington * H.E. "Smiley" Richardson, Mayor, Maynardville * Kay Senter, Vice-Mayor, Morristown * Chris Goodman, Mayor, Oakland * Jim Sells, Mayor, Rogersville * Wallace Cartwright, Mayor, Shelbyville * Robert Cothran, Mayor, Soddy-Daisy * David Lamb, Mayor, South Fulton * Corey Napier, Mayor, Thompson Station