Taking A Stand: Potter will have to fight for his job
It appears only one of the four court spots will be challenged in the upcoming 2006 elections, according to my continuing straw poll into who’s planning to run for the local offices.
At present, the district attorney general’s race is the only election generating any interest as the offices of public defender, circuit and general sessions judges haven’t drawn any challengers thus far. This means three first-termers including General Sessions Judge Larry Ross, Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley, and Public Defender Dan Bryant may be afforded new cars next year seeing a run for one of their offices generally costs about as much a brand new, quality car. However, seeing qualifying deadline isn’t until February, I wouldn’t be picking between the red and blue one just yet.
As you noticed in the preceding paragraph, I mentioned Ross will seek re-election to the sessions post, thereby laying to rest rumors he would challenge for the district attorney’s position, being his former career was that of an investigator and assistant prosecutor with the local DA’s office.
Actually, Judge Ross told me of his intentions several months back, noting he wanted to continue many of the programs he started during his first eight-year term, especially in the area of juvenile court.
So, with no interest yet on the other races, the district attorney’s position will have to fill our cup for court races. First off, District Attorney General Dale Potter will seek re-election to his post and will once again run as an independent, something which has its advantages and disadvantages, according to who you talk to.
An advantage is you must run just one race while party members have to square off in the primary. The downside is there isn’t the backing of the Democratic Party once the primary season is through. Potter won as an independent over the Democratic incumbent Bill Locke seven years ago.
Speaking of Locke, there is unconfirmed word he is eyeing a run for his old office again. He has been an assistant prosecutor for the Cookeville district since his defeat in 1998.
Given his interest, the question will then turn to Robert Newman, who ran second to Stanley in the circuit race just about three years ago. He has not given me a definitive answer yet. He and Locke are in-laws, so that could make for some awkward family gatherings if both run, making me suspect it will be one or the other.
While Locke and Newman remain the X-factor, there are two folks who say they are “seriously considering” seeking the post, meaning they are very likely going to run. These are local attorneys Steve Roller and Phillip Clemons. Should they officially declare, both would seek the Democratic nomination, meaning we’re looking for at least three people to challenge one another in the primary to take on Potter since Locke or Newman, whichever runs, would run as a Democrat.
This means there would be a one-on-one race for DA in August, unless we have a Republican candidate step up. Let’s remember the Republicans have vowed to put a candidate in each race next year. However, there’s a limited number of Republican attorneys around and I’d say challenging an incumbent as an independent would be next to impossible.
You also should remember, the DA’s office (as well as the circuit judgeship) includes both Warren and Van Buren counties so there’s considerably more travel required.
Duane Sherrill is a reporter for the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at news@southernstandard.com.