McGregor announces candidacy for circuit judge
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An attorney for 27 years, he served as Van Buren County’s attorney for 12 years before becoming clerk and master in Warren County in 1989.
“For the past 12 years I have sat beside Judge Haston as clerk and master and have sat as special judge hearing some 3,000 orders of protection, chancery and circuit cases of all descriptions, criminal cases, even jury criminal cases in both Warren and Van Buren counties,” McGregor said. “I have filled in as special judge for Judge Medley, Judge Griswold, Judge Haston and Judge Ross.”
McGregor said that all totaled, he has sat as judge on over 5,000 cases in the past 12 years without any extra compensation.
“All of the other candidates have appeared before me on many cases, both civil and criminal, as have the remainder of Warren and Van Buren county attorneys,” McGregor said. “I believe all the other attorneys will tell you I have been fair to them, though they might not agree with my decisions as someone must win and someone must lose.”
McGregor noted he has earned a reputation for fairness and firmness on the bench.
“I have a reputation of not being a wrist-slapper,” McGregor said. “I believe everyone should be treated fairly and given a chance to make it or break it. I believe that when you break it, you must suffer the consequences. If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime. I believe one chance is enough. The court should not be a revolving door.”
McGregor pointed out he is not a member of a wealthy family and has never had a law partner or been a member of an organization which might influence him. He added he is not an insurance company lawyer or a criminal defense lawyer.
McGregor has been married to Loyce Pearsall McGregor for 32 years. They have three children: Jessica, who is on the staff at David Lipscomb University, James, a graduate of Lipscomb who is currently a missionary in Australia, and Olivia, who is a senior at Warren County High School. The McGregors are members of Central Church of Christ.
“I know what it is to be a working man,” McGregor said. “I’ve worked all my life. My father, Herman McGregor, taught me how to get along in this life and prepare oneself for the next.”
McGregor grew up in Warren County, graduating from Central High School and then later attaining his bachelor’s degree in political science from MTSU along with a master’s in sociology and psychology. He received his law degree from Nashville School of Law.
McGregor has taught classes on marriage and the family at Motlow and holds certificates in vocational evaluation from the University of Tennessee and Auburn. He is a certified mediator and holds certification as a public administrator by UT. He has worked as a teacher, counselor and vocational evaluator.
“I have more judicial experience than all of the other four candidates combined,” McGregor said. “If experience counts for anything, I have it. The others don’t.”
If elected, McGregor said he has set a schedule for court hours, from 9 a.m. to noon and then again at 1 p.m.
“I plan to set cases at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in order for people not to have to sit all day waiting for their cases,” McGregor said. “I also plan to change the grand jury foreman from a permanent position to a two-year position. I believe that the DA and grand jury foreman must be able to work together. If you want a common man with common sense who isn’t afraid of hard work, elect me circuit judge.”