The ballot has been set, and it’s a long one at that, as voters prepare to head to the polls to elect new leaders in county government.
There will be four candidates running for Warren County Executive, seven for Sheriff, and four candidates each vying for the seats of Circuit Court Clerk and Register of Deeds.
When it comes to the Warren County Commission, there are 50 candidates battling for 24 seats, including seven candidates contending for two seats in the 10th District.
Two races are uncontested. Road Superintendent Levie Glenn and County Court Clerk Lesa Scott will both keep their jobs without opposition.
The rest of the field isn’t so clear, beginning with County Executive where Herschel Wells is leaving after one term. The field for the open seat includes Allie Hyatt, Jimmy Haley, Terry Bell, and Ray Hixson, who will all meet in the General Election in August.
Sheriff Jackie Matheny is retiring after six terms and 24 years in office, leaving as the longest serving sheriff in Warren County history. The race to replace him includes four current members of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department in Tommy Myers, Marc Martin, Billy Joe Crouch and Herb Rowland. It also includes McMinnville Police Lt. John Morgan, Highway Patrolman Rodney Whiles, and retired officer Bobby Edwards, formerly of Murfreesboro Police Department.
Whiles and Rowland are both running as Democrats, meaning only one will advance to the General Election. The other five are independents, meaning they automatically advance.
Trustee Darlene Bryant will be challenged as Anita Nunley submitted her qualifying papers Tuesday. Nunley previously worked in the Trustee’s office for 16 years and has sought election to the seat twice before.
Bernie Morris is retiring as Circuit Court Clerk, leaving four candidates to fight for her job. Democrats Duane Sherrill, Melanie Milstead, and Casi Powell Cantrell will square off in the primary in May. The winner will advance to face independent Chris Cope in August.
Register of Deeds Terry Smith will face a challenge from Wes Williams in the Democratic Primary. The winner of that race will advance to the General Election to face independents Danny Cummings and Tim Grandey.
