Voters to decide who leads our county: Polls open at 8 a.m. Thursday for election
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“With early voting as heavy as it’s been, I think we’re going to have a big turnout,” said Election Administrator Donna Yates “We’ve got a lot of local races, along with state and federal primaries, so there’s a lot to offer the voters this election and that will probably help bring folks out.”
During early voting, 4,307 voters took part, marking a record for early voting in a non-presidential election. Yates said early voting generally serves as a barometer of voter interest.
Also bringing in voters are at least two tight local races. Recent polls showed incumbent County Executive Carol Hamblen and Democratic challenger Kenneth Rogers dead even. Rogers lost to Hamblen by 20 votes in 1998. Independent Bob Warren trailed both in the poll.
In the race for circuit judge, Bart Stanley holds a slight lead on Robert Newman in the polls. Fellow candidates Richard McGregor, Keith Smartt and Peg Stewart will be challenging the front-runners. The winner of the race will serve the four years still remaining on the term of long-time Circuit Judge Charles Haston. He retired in the middle of his eight-year term earlier this year.
Winning Warren County will be only part of the battle as Van Buren County, which is also part of the 31st Judicial District, is expected to add around 2,000 votes.
Also at stake this election is the office of Trustee where Joy Slatton is being challenged by Emily Panter.
For sheriff, two-term incumbent Jackie Matheny faces a three-way challenge from former multi-term sheriff Everett Pearsall, deputy Doc Smith and write-in candidate, former sheriff Mason Black.
First-term Register of Deeds Terry Smith is facing opposition from former library director Susan Curtis.
In county commission races, 22 of the county’s 24 commissioners will be determined.
Along with the local races, voters may participate in the various primaries for state and federal offices. The Republican and Democratic primaries include the races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and Tennessee House of Representatives.