Incumbent McMinnville Mayor Jimmy Haley will face opposition for reelection as former alderman Terry L. Mullican has thrown his hat in the ring.
“I’ve considered running for a while,” said Mullican, noting the last-minute departure of Alderman Jimmy Bonner and an appeal in the newspaper in a column written by editor James Clark, suggesting there should be competition for the mayor’s office, convinced him the time was right. “The voters need a choice.”
Mayor Haley, who was facing no opposition after Bonner withdrew from the race last week, says he looks forward to debating the issues with Mullican.
“Former alderman Terry Mullican is welcomed as a candidate for mayor,” Haley said. “We have been friends for years. I look forward to a positive campaign where we can debate our different visions for the city and share our ideas for promoting progress and improved quality of life for McMinnville citizens.”
The deadline to qualify to run for city offices fell at noon Thursday. The alderman race in McMinnville will also be contested thanks to political newcomer Kate Medley Alsbrook who is challenging for one of the seats held by Jimmy Bonner, Ben Newman and Mike Neal, all of whom are incumbents seeking reelection.
McMinnville is not the only city in Warren County to have a contested mayor’s race. Centertown will see Alderman Joel Akers lock horns with Kris Pawlak for mayor of the small hamlet. Incumbent Mayor Collene Crumbley is not seeking reelection. Jerry L. Lorance, incumbent, and Ramona A. Mathis face no opposition in the race for the two open alderman seats in Centertown.
William Ramsey will face no competition in his run for mayor of Viola. Incumbent Carl Bouldin is not seeking another term.
As for Viola aldermen, there are not enough candidates to fill the open spots. Carolyn Garret-son, Susan Wilson Northcutt and April Castner face no opposition as there are five spots up for election. Ramsey presently fills one of the alderman spots, but won’t be able to serve because he will be elected mayor, meaning there are two spots without candidates.
Election administrator Donna Smith noted candidates can run as write-in candidates for any lo-cal office but they must declare their candidacy with the Election Commission no later than Sept. 19 for their votes to be counted during the Nov. 8 election.
Morrison has the same problem as there are three alderman spots up for election and only one candidate. Keith Ray Youngblood is the sole candidate for alderman in Morrison.