Pictured above from left are Mark “Hollywood” Whaley, Russell Barker, and Lewis Ridenour. (Submitted photo)
Russell Barker, the Republican nominee for Anderson County sheriff, has been endorsed by his competitors in the Republican primary in May, Lewis Ridenour and Mark “Hollywood” Whaley, for the county general election on Thursday, August 2, a press release said.
In the release, Barker expressed his excitement to have the support of his primary challengers.
“Lewis and Hollywood are great men who truly want to make a difference in Anderson County,” Barker said. “Having their support is truly an honor.”
Whaley, one of Barker’s challengers, had vowed, if defeated, to support the nominee, the press release said.
“I support our Republican nominee,” Whaley said, according to the release. “Russell is a servant leader who will be an excellent sheriff for Anderson County. Throughout his career, he has made a profound impact on the lives of those he served. From his start as a patrolman and as the director of the Task Force, Russell has committed his life to serving the people of this great county. Join me in voting for Russell in the general election.”
The press release said Ridenour committed early in the process to support the Republican nominee if he was not elected.
“In keeping with my commitment, I fully support Russell Barker as the Republican nominee for Anderson County sheriff,” Ridenour said in the press release. “I believe he has the leadership to move this department forward.”
“I am excited with the direction our campaign is going,” Barker said, citing the united front of the campaign. “These endorsements along with growing support across the county is humbling. This election is about coming together and fixing old problems facing our county.”
Barker is facing the Democratic nominee, Mark Lucas, in the election on Thursday.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Most news stories on Oak Ridge Today are free, brought to you by Oak Ridge Today with help from our advertisers, contributors, and subscribers. This is a free story. Thank you to our advertisers, contributors, and subscribers.
Do you appreciate this story or our work in general? If so, please consider a monthly subscription to Oak Ridge Today. See our Subscribe page here. Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today.
Copyright 2018 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
