Women make election history
Now that the pageantry of local politics has played out again in Warren County, the implications of the election results are still being dissected and analyzed.
One thing is certain, though. Political history happened in Warren County last week ??and women were in the forefront.
Local attorney Lisa Zavogiannis made history by trouncing incumbent District Attorney Dale Potter. Looking back, it?s hard to believe that ?Lisa Z? was ever an underdog in the Democratic Primary in May.?After gaining her party?s nomination, Lisa gained even greater momentum in her bid to unseat Mr. Potter.?
The victory she achieved attests amply to her dedication, energy and focus on winning.?Running strong in all 21 districts in Warren County, as well as in early voting results and in Van Buren County, she won by a lopsided 8,668 to 2822 votes over Mr. Potter.
In ousting Potter, Zavogiannis is poised to become the first female District Attorney General in the history of the 31st Judicial District, and among the very few female district attorneys in Tennessee history.?Of the current 31 District Attorneys General in Tennessee, just one is a female.
So, I congratulate Lisa Zavogiannis on her landslide victory.?She says she?s ?ready to go to work.? That?s just what she needs to do.?All eyes will be on her to see if she can apply the same dedication, energy and focus that marked her campaign to the daunting duties and challenges of being our next district attorney.
Political newcomer and independent candidate Lesa Scott also made history on Thursday.?She defeated Democratic nominee Randy England to become our next county clerk.?She carried 18 of the 21 districts and the early voting to win a 4,207 to 3,402 vote victory over her closest opponent, Mr. England.?
Meanwhile, Republican Mike Neal came in third with 724 votes. He, too, made history with the most successful run ever for a Republican in a local race.
When Lesa Scott takes office on Sept. 1, she will be the first female county clerk in Warren County history.?For that, she deserves our congratulations.?She will also be the first person, other than her mentor, Mr. David Smartt, to head up that office in over 20 years.?As for David, he richly deserves our deepest thanks for a job very well done.
While Lisa and Lesa were busy making history, other women were making their mark on local politics as well.? Darlene Bryant defeated Kim Broom 5,151 to 3,886 to become our next trustee. Sally Brock retained her 1st District seat on the County Commission.
Incumbent Bessie Smithson was the top vote-getter in the 9th District, followed closely by fellow incumbent Carl Hulett, who also won.?Meanwhile, newcomer Republican candidate Donna Reid came in third, making her own contribution to the history of local politics.
As we rightly applaud the historic victories achieved by women last week, we should also applaud all those who ran- male and female. Whether they won or lost, they deserve our thanks for their willingness to run and to give us a choice.
Thomas B. Vaughn is a professor at Motlow College and co-host of the radio show ?Viewpoints,? which airs on 91.3 FM.