Shields first to pick up Senate qualifying papers

Only one early bird got the ball rolling Friday during the first day to pick up qualifying papers for the state Senate office formerly held by Jerry Cooper and now occupied by Steve Roller.

Warren County resident John Shields Jr. has the distinction of being the lone potential candidate to obtain a qualifying petition in the seven-county 14th District. However, there is still plenty of time as candidates will have until noon April 3 to file their petitions with the election commission in their home county and then file duplicates in the other six counties of the district.

The race for the seat comes after Cooper resigned less than one year short of fulfilling his sixth term. Roller, a local attorney, was appointed to fill the seat until it expires, defeating former county commissioner Bill Zechman by two votes. The appointment was made by the Warren County Commission since it is the governing body in Cooper’s home county.

While not picking up papers the first day, Roller has publicly announced he intends to seek election to the office as he begins his official duties in Nashville this week. He was officially sworn in last night.

And, given the fact 15 people, several of whom are not Warren County residents, sought the position when it was being filled last month by the county commission, it is believed there will be other entries in the race before deadline. To serve in the state Senate a person must be a legal resident of the district and be at least 30 years old.

Shields put his name in the hat during last month’s appointment process but was not a finalist. The Southern Manufacturing Group engineer stressed the importance of bringing jobs and industry to the area during his presentation at a public forum.

One rumored candidate continues to insist he will not seek the senatorial position, that being 47th District state Rep. Judd Matheny of Coffee County who represents Coffee and part of Warren County. The Republican lawmaker picked up his papers Friday to seek re-election to his current post.