For the August 1 Union County General Election, the school board races in the four districts were the highly contested races. Many were close but at least one was a runaway.
In District 6 (Paulette), Harold Cooke soundly defeated incumbent Andrew Reed 230 to 93. Former Director of Schools Jimmy Carter defeated Chris Cooper 161 to 146 in District 4 (Big Ridge). The incumbents in Districts 1, 2 and 4 did not seek re-election.
In District 1 (Maynardville), Charlie Hamilton’s efforts resulted in a win over Jama Richardson with a vote of 226 to 210. Terry Washam, the write-in candidate in District 2 (Luttrell), proved one vote does matter as he squeaked by Brenda Savage Jessee by 98 to 97.
In other local races of the General Election, Randy Turner, Assessor of Property, and David Cox, Road Superintendent, ran unopposed. Turner received 1672 votes and Cox got 1722.
Every evenly numbered year, there is a Democrat primary and a Republican primary for state and federal offices in August. In the Republican primary, Dennis Powers from Campbell County ran unopposed and received 1365 to be on the November ballot as the Republican state House of Representatives candidate in District 36.
In the Republican primary for state Senate District 8, incumbent Frank Niceley from Strawberry Plains was opposed by newcomer Jessie Seal from Claiborne County. Jessie Seal received 732 Union County votes to Niceley’s 800 Union County votes. But Jessie Seal won the District as the Republican candidate for Tennessee Senate District 8.
On the November ballot, Seal, the Republican, will face R. E. Ellison, the Democrat candidate who received 128 Union County votes in the Democrat primary for state Senate District 8.
In the US House of Representatives District 2, Tim Burchett, who currently is the representative, ran unopposed in the Republican Primary and received 1476 Union County votes. Jane George ran unopposed in the Democrat primary for US House of Representatives District 2 and counted 135 Union County votes. Burchett will oppose George on the November ballot.
In the Republican primary for US Senate, Marsha Blackburn received 1372 Union County votes to defeat Tres Wittum, who got 130 votes in Union County.
In the Democrat primary for US Senate, Gloria Johnson defeated Marquita Bradshaw, Lola Denise Brown and Civil Miller-Watkins. The Union County vote for Johnson was 136. Blackburn will face Johnson on the November ballot. Union County voted to retain Judge Tarwater and Judge Wilson, both in West Tennessee.
If you are not registered to vote, you can find information and registration forms at the Union County Election Commission in the Union County Courthouse or by calling 865-992-3471. You can also register online at GOVoteTN-Information for Voters.
Thank you to all who worked to maintain our right to vote by electing to run for office or working in the election itself.