Attorneys begin to submit qualifying papers: Stanley first to hand in; McGregor, Locke also pick up papers
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Stanley, 32, returned his completed petitions to the election office Thursday to have his name officially placed on the Aug. 1 ballot. The attorney, who is a partner in the law firm Stanley, Bratcher and Stanley, will likely be the youngest member of the circuit field this year; however, his run will not be without precedent as Haston was first elected to the judgeship when he was 37.
Judge Haston announced his retirement, effective May 1, in a surprise meeting of the local bar association last month. He has served as judge for the 31st Judicial District for over 28 years. The retirement has sparked a landslide of interest among local attorneys, with as many as 10 rumored to be eyeing runs for office. Qualifying deadline for the race is May 16.
Joining Stanley at the election office this week was Clerk & Master Richard McGregor, who picked up qualifying papers. McGregor, who has often filled in for Haston in workman’s compensation cases, has publicly announced he will seek the judgeship.
The two candidates who unsuccessfully tried to unseat Judge Haston in the 1998 elections have also picked up papers, Bernard K. Smith and Keith Smartt. Both have publicly stated they will run for judge. Also picking up papers Thursday was former District Attorney Bill Locke.
According to Election Administrator Donna Yates, she expects several more attorneys to collect papers as soon as word gets out qualifying petitions are available. Yates noted each person given papers is warned the papers are good, barring a rescinding of Haston’s retirement. Haston can exercise the right to terminate his retirement any time before he officially steps down May 1. The person elected to replace Haston will serve the remainder of Haston’s eight-year term which expires in 2006.
To seek the office, candidates must be at least 30 years of age, be licensed to practice law in Tennessee, been a resident of the state of Tennessee for five years and a resident of the judicial district for at least one year.
Along with the aforementioned candidates, local attorney Robert Newman has said he definitely intends to run. Peg Stewart also said she is likely to run. Several others attorneys say they are still strongly considering casting their hats into what will likely be a crowded ring.
In the meantime, applications are also being accepted by the administrative office of the courts for the role of interim judge. The person selected by the governor for the interim term, will hold the office until the elected judge is sworn in Sept. 1. A special judge from out of town will fill the bench until the interim judge is appointed.
The surprise circuit race has fueled widespread speculation, given the number of candidates and short campaign period before election. One local eatery has even conducted the first straw poll, asking its customers, who are registered voters, to reveal their preference for judge.
According to Penny Medley of Medley’s Classic Diner on Sparta Highway, the straw poll was conducted recently, but was not announced to the public. Medley said they made out ballots, listing candidates likely to run, in alphabetical order and then asked customers to check their preference. Around 75 customers voted.
“We have a good mix of people here, so we thought it would be interesting to see what people are thinking on this race,” Medley said. “We didn’t announce it before hand so we could get a good feel for what people are thinking.”
According to Medley, local attorney Robert Newman received the most votes, edging out Bart Stanley by one ballot. Keith Smartt and Bill Locke both tied for a close third. McGregor finished closely behind them, followed by Peg Stewart and Spencer attorney Al Johnson.
Attorneys Barry Medley and Bernard Smith, neither of whom were on the ballot, each received write-in votes. Penny Medley said they did not know Smith was running when they made the ballots. Barry Medley has announced he will not run for judge.