Most Anderson commissioners seek re-election, six running in District 7 in OR

Posted at 12:47 pm April 4, 2014
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Anderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Clinton is pictured above.

There are six candidates running for Anderson County Commission in District 7 in Oak Ridge in August, and a Democrat has joined the race for Tennessee House of Representatives in the 33rd District.

Meanwhile, an Independent, Bradley S. Rickett, has joined the race for Anderson County mayor, competing against Democrat Jim Hackworth and the winner of the May 6 Republican primary, either the incumbent, Terry Frank, or her challenger, Commissioner Zach Bates.

Fourteen of the 16 Anderson County commissioners are seeking re-election to a four-year term. But Bates, from District 4 in the Lake City area, is not. And neither is Commissioner John Shuey. Shuey is one of two commissioners in District 7, which includes the Glenwood, Highland View, and Pine Valley precincts in Oak Ridge.

District 7 is the most competitive in terms of number of candidates. In addition to the incumbent, Jerry Creasey, other candidates include Jimmy Bouchard, Michael Marsh, Denny Phillips, Kevin Rice, and Theresa Scott.

District 3—which includes Andersonville, Fairview, Glen Alpine, and Norris—has five candidates, including the two incumbents, Steve Emert and Dusty Irwin. The other three candidates are Josh Anderson, David Farmer, and Philip Warfield.

The deadline to qualify was noon Thursday.

In District 8, the two incumbents, Commission Vice Chair Robin Biloski and Parliamentarian Myron Iwanski, are being challenged by Myra Mansfield. District 8 includes the Emory Valley, Hendrix Creek, and Woodland precincts in Oak Ridge.

And in District 6 in Oak Ridge, commissioners Harry “Whitey” Hitchcock and Steve Mead are being challenged by Anthony Allen and Joey Anderson. District 6 includes the Oak Ridge City Hall, Robertsville, and West Hills precincts.

Democrat Misty Neergaard has no opposition in the Aug. 7 party primary. She could compete in November against either Rep. John Ragan, the incumbent in the Tennessee House’s 33rd District, or his challenger Republican Caitlin Nolan. The 33rd District includes most of Anderson County.

Republican Rep. Dennis Powers has a Democratic challenger, James Virgil Kidwell, in the 36th District.

Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, has no opposition.

In other Anderson County Commission districts, Claxton area incumbents Chuck Fritts, the commission chairman, and Tracy L. Wandell are being challenged by Floyd E. Grisham and Walt Lounsbery in District 1.

Mark Alderson and Rick Meredith are unopposed in District 2 in Clinton.

Commissioner Tim Isbel will face off against Herb “Herbie” Foust, Allen C.H. Loope, and Chris Phillips for election to one of the two seats in District 4, which includes the Lake City, Briceville, and Rosedale precincts. Those two seats include the one being vacated by Bates.

Incumbents Jerry White and Robert McKamey of District 5—which includes the Dutch Valley, Marlow, and Norwood precincts—are being challenged by Carl D. Beaty and Landle “Lynn” Byrge.

All four School Board incumbents are seeking re-election. Incumbent School Board members Jo Williams (District 1) and Scott Gillenwaters (District 6) are unopposed, while District 2 incumbent Greg Crawford is being challenged by Teresa Portwood and District 7 incumbent Steve Fritts will square off with Don Bell.

Oliver Springs City Judge Joseph H. VanHook and City Court Clerk Ramona L. Walker are both running unopposed in the Aug. 7 county general and state and federal primary election.

See the complete list of candidates, including those running for constable and executive committee seats in the Democratic and Republican parties, here.

Visit the Anderson County Election Commission website here.

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