Siler out of Knox Co. Commish race

Siler

Cheri Siler, who jumped into the local political arena not too long ago when she unsuccessfully challenged Richard Briggs for a state Senate seat, has "suspended" her campaign, for the Knox County Commission 2nd District seat, according to an email she sent yesterday.

She said:

To the citizens of the second district of Knox County:

It has been a dream and goal of mine to serve you as a county commissioner for Knox County.
After careful consideration, however, I am suspending my campaign for county commission effective immediately. 

My family comes first, and right now I need to focus on my role as wife, mother, and daughter to those who come first in my life.

Thank you for your understanding and your support.

Cheri Siler

With Siler out of the running that pretty much paves the way for her opponent, Democrat Laura Kildare to face the winner of the March 1 Republican Primary - either Michele Carringer or John Fugate in the early August General Election.

Note, however, that because Siler has withdrawn after the official deadline to withdraw her name will still appear on the ballot.

Knox Co. Commission taking resumes to fill 5th District seat; Due Dec. 15

The Knox County Commission is accepting resumes from candidates seeking the appointment to replace Richard Briggs as the board's 5th District representative.

Briggs, a Republican who defeated Cheri Siler in the general election for the 7th District state Senate seat, officially stepped down last week.

Resumes should be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 15. They can be mailed, faxed, emailed or hand-delivered to:

Office of the Knox County Commission

Suite 603, City County Building

400 Main St.

Knoxville, TN 37920

Phone: 865-215-2534

Fax: 865-215-2038

email: commission@knoxcounty.org

The County Commission will hold a public hearing to interview candiates on Jan. 12, 2015 at 4 p.m. in the Main Assembly Room of the County Building.

Commissioners are expected to vote on the matter during a special called meeting that will immediately follow the interviews.

Briggs to leave commish on Monday

Richard Briggs

Richard Briggs, who has served on the Knox County Commission for almost seven years, will officially step down Monday as he makes his move over to Tennessee General Assembly.

Briggs defeated incumbent Stacey Campfield in the Republican Primary this summer and then bested Democratic challenger Cheri Siler in Tuesday’s General Election to represent the 7^th District state Senate seat.

A heart surgeon and decorated U.S Army veteran, Briggs was appointed to the Knox County Commission in February 2008. He retained the seat in the August General Election of that year.

Briggs’ seat on the commission oversees the 5^th District, which includes a good chunk of Southwest Knox County.

He said he initially wanted to wait until Jan. 1 to step down, but that on Wednesday morning state officials assigned him an office and sent him the paperwork to take over now.

“It’s been an absolute honor and privilege to serve on the Knox County Commission and I look forward as a state senator to work with the commission for benefit our community and its citizens,” he said.

The new senator said he’s already received calls about forced annexation, something he doesn’t support without the support of the residents.

The Knox County Commission more than likely will talk about the selection process for filling the vacancy when the board holds its Nov. 17 meeting.

Traditionally, the board accepts resumes, and then holds brief interviews with all the applicants during a public forum. The board then generally waits a week before voting on the replacement.

The interim 5^th District commissioner will hold the seat until its term expires at the end of August 2016.

Endorsements in for Siler, Briggs

Couple of endorsements here. Note that I typically don't run these things, but since I've been getting a number of them ...

First, the Cheri Siler for (7th District) State Senate campaign is pleased to announce the endorsement of the Knoxville Fraternal Order of Police,  Volunteer Lodge No. 2.  "It is a great honor to have the support of Knoxville’s police who are responsible for our everyday protection.  We pledge our campaign’s support for Knoxville’s police and will work to advance their interests when we are elected to the legislature."  

Second, the National Federation of Independent Business, Tennessee's leading small business association, has endorsed Dr. Richard Briggs, Republican candidate for State Senate, District 7. "Creating Good jobs is my number one priority. I know the impact government red tape can have on small businesses and I will use my experience (to) ensure that businesses in Tennessee thrive."

As always, send in your election/campaign stuff for publication consideration.

The election is Nov. 4

Sen. race: Siler, Briggs spar over Republican's military 'uniform code'

Siler

In what appears to be one of those "look before you leap" situations, 7th District state Senate candidate Cheri Siler, the race's Democrat, pretty much accused her Republican opponent, Richard Briggs of "playing fast and loose with the ethical rules that should guide campaigns.

In an email that I received while I was sleeping cause I got the day off, Siler noted:

While I have the utmost respect for his service to our country and his personal sacrifice to protect our freedom, I am troubled by his disregard for the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UMCJ) in Briggs’ repetitive use of military photos in his campaign. According to the Department of Defense UCMJ, a candidate must have a disclaimer statement on military photos used for campaign purposes. Alarmingly, we see no such disclaimer on any of my opponent’s photos used in campaign materials.

She then went on to talk about how Briggs won't debate her, which I'm not getting into because it's bull. The

Briggs

two were on or will be on that other news channel and they'll appear in a week or so on Inside Tennessee.

Anyhoo, Briggs fired back:

My opponent has blatantly made false accusations. The rule applies to ACTIVE members of the military. I am a retired Colonel from the Army earning a Bronze Star fighting for this country and community. This shows that my opponent fails to check the facts before she makes an allegation.

My opponent wants to talk about reaching people, she should consider going to them. our campaign has knocked on over 50,000 doors, made thousands of phone calls, and ran an extremely successful campaign against our opponent in the primary. I would encourage our opponent to stop making false statements and get to work to talk to the voters.

He then talked about Obamacare or something, but I'm tired of hearing about that crap, too.

The irony, or is it coincidence, is that both candidates cited the same link in their argument. Find that bad boy, RIGHT SMACK HERE.

The election is Nov. 4.

As always send me your campaign stuff for publication consideration.

'Fast' Cheri releases first TV ad

Ha ha. I enjoyed this one. Democrat Cheri Siler, who is challenging Republican Richard Briggs for the 7th District state Senate seat, has released her first television ad.

She pokes fun at Briggs' ability to raise a ton of coin. Hence, the reason it's "fast."

Check it out below:



The ad is designed to emphasize Siler's role in the community - as a teacher, small business owner and mother of 6 - according to her campaign people.

Her platform focuses on imprving public education and strengthening the local economy.

As always, send over your political stuff for publication consideration.