Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
However, keep in mind that schools are open, so finding a
parking spot could be tough if that’s where your polling place is located.
So far, turnout has been dismal with about 5.3 percent, or
14,640, of the county’s 275,000 registered voters hitting the ballot boxes
during early voting. That means every vote really could count and it’s possible
that only a handful of votes could affect the outcome of some of the contests.
Here’s a snapshot of some races to watch:
Sheriff: With no mayoral race, most eyes are turning to the
sheriff’s contest, probably the second most well-known political seat in the
county. Here, incumbent Jimmy “J.J.” Jones faces challengers and former Knox
County Sheriff’s Office employees Bobby Waggoner and Charles “Sam” Hammett in
the Republican Primary. Since no Democrats filed to run, the winner – barring
an almost miraculous victory by a write-in candidate – will be determined
Tuesday.
Criminal Court Clerk: Incumbent Joy McCroskey’s problems in
this office were well-documented. Mistakes mostly tied to poor training and
inadequate technology led to a series of problems including wrongful arrests.
McCroskey opted not to seek re-election, so it’s now down to long-time Knox
County Commissioner Mike Hammond and two local attorneys, Steve Williams and
Jason Hunnicutt, a prosecutor in the District Attorney General’s Office. All
three have promised swift changes. Like the sheriff’s race, no Democrats filed
to run.
Trustee: This race pits two local political heavyweights –
incumbent and former county commissioner Craig Leuthold and former city
councilman and county commissioner Ed Shouse – against each other. In addition,
a third candidate, former Trustee’s Office worker Barry Hawkins is in it, too. The
winner will take on James Berrier, a Democrat, in the August General Election.
Board of Education: The non-partisan school board races have
seen an unusual amount of activity this go around, and most of it is connected
to teacher evaluations, student testing and the board’s move to extend
Superintendent Jim McIntyre’s contract an additional year, even though he had
three years left on it. The board has nine slots, and five seats are up,
although one – District 7 – is already decided since political newcomer Patti
Lou Bounds won’t face opposition. The top two vote-getters – unless someone
gets 50 percent of the vote plus an additional one – will face each other in
August. Of the four contested seats, one – District 9, which pits incumbent Pam
Trainor against political newcomer Amber Rountree – will be decided Tuesday.
The others each feature three or more candidates and might not get settled
until August.
Circuit Court Judge: If you’re a Democrat, there’s not a
whole lot to get excited about at this point. There’s only one contested
Democratic Primary: Circuit Court Judge Division IV, which features two lawyers
Daniel Kidd and David Valone. (Only 1,729 voted in the Democratic Primary
during early voting.) The winner head to August where they will meet the top
vote-getter in the Republican Primary – either Pattie Jane Lay or Greg
McMillan. The Circuit Court Judge Division I seat also is up this year, and
that one features Republicans Ray Jenkins, Billy Stokes and Kristi Davis. No
Democrats filed to run in this one. Jenkins and Stokes have name recognition,
but Davis is a strong contender. This one could be close.
County Commission: Four of the board’s 11 seats are up this
year, although Bob Thomas is pretty much a lock for one of the at-large seats,
since he doesn’t have a challenger. Political newcomers Randy Smith and Billy
Stephens will vie for the District 3 seats. Bo Bennett and Charles Busler
challenge for the District 7 seat. Michele Carringer, a former commissioner and
Ed Brantley, a long-time local radio personality, face off in the other
at-large seat.
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