Shelbyville Times-Gazette: News : Elections

Elections

Public can speak on city council wards (02/07/12)
Shelbyville residents will have their chance to speak their mind about the city's new wards during a public hearing set for Thursday. The hearing will start at 6 p.m. in the courtroom at Shelbyville police headquarters. Since November, the city council has been examining the layout of Shelbyville's council representation, which must be reviewed and adjusted every 10 years if necessary based on population growth...

Early primary voting starts soon (02/02/12)
In less than two weeks, early voting will begin for the March 6 primary elections. On the local ballot will be a presidential primary, as well as primary elections for county road superintendent and property assessor. Because Tennessee does not register voters by party, anyone can choose to vote in either the Democratic primary or the Republican primary (but not both, at least not for the same election)...

New House for Bedford (01/17/12)
State lawmakers on Friday approved redistricting plans for congressional and state legislative districts, and Gov. Bill Haslam is expected to sign the proposal. The biggest change for Bedford County is that the county moves from the 6th Congressional District, currently represented by Rep. Diane Black (R-Gallatin), to the 4th, currently represented by Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-South Pittsburg)...

Tracy will not seek US House seat (01/10/12)
State Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) announced on Monday that he will not be a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives but will instead run for re-election to his state seat. This year's congressional redistricting had led to some speculation that Tracy or others might challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais for the party nomination....

Bedford may move to 4th Congressional District (01/06/12)
Bedford County would move from the 6th Congressional District to the 4th as the result of proposed redistricting plans released Friday by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey. State Sen. Jim Tracy told The Associated Press he hasn't had time to consider whether or not to run for the U.S. House in the new district...

Legislators pleased with proposed new districts (01/06/12)
Both of Bedford County's incumbent state legislators say they're happy with their proposed new districts. Proposed district maps were announced Wednesday by the Republican majorities in each chamber of the General Assembly. They won't be official until voted on by the General Assembly, which re-convenes next week...

Clanton announces bid for re-election (12/21/11)
Ronda Clanton of Shelbyville has announced her candidacy for re-election as Assessor of Property in the March 6, 2012 Democratic primary. Clanton, a graduate of Cascade High School, has lived in Bedford County for the past 37 years. She is married to Randy Clanton. They have four children. Clanton is a member of Fair Haven Baptist Church...

Road Superintendent to run for re-election (12/14/11)
Stanley Smotherman has announced his candidacy for re-election as Bedford County Road Superintendent in the March 6, 2012, Democratic primary. A Bedford County native, Smotherman has worked for Bedford County Highway Department for the past 33 years and has served as road superintendent since 2000. He currently serves as secretary/treasurer of Tennessee County Highway Officials Association...

7 voting precincts eliminated (11/10/11)
Seven of the county's 18 voting precincts will be closed after the March election, election administrator Summer Leverette told county commission members during her quarterly departmental report Tuesday night. The March 2012 primary election will include all 18 precincts; the closings won't take effect until after that, meaning the August primary and general elections will be affected...

Council takes first view of proposed new wards (11/02/11)
Shelbyville council members got their first look Tuesday at proposed changes to the city's wards. Every 10 years, following new U.S. Census figures, the wards for council representation are reviewed and adjusted if necessary based on population growth. This stems from the famous 1964 Supreme Court case that established the "one man, one vote" rule...

ID law talk (11/02/11)
Fewer than a dozen citizens showed up for an informational session about Tennessee's new voter identification law, which will require voters to show a valid photo ID at the polls. The new law goes into effect on Jan. 1, according to county election commissioner Summer Leverette, standing. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)

Voter ID meeting is tonight (11/01/11)
An informational session about a new voter identification law will be held at 5:30 p.m. tonight at the Bedford County Courthouse. The new law will require voters to show a valid photo ID at the polls. It won't go into effect until next year, but in preparation for this new requirement, Bedford County Election Commission is holding tonight's town hall-style meeting in the second floor courtroom...

Voter ID law could mean longer waits (09/27/11)
A new law requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls may result in longer lines next year, according to Bedford County Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette. Several states adopted new laws last year requiring that people show a photo ID when they come to vote, even though the kind of election fraud that the laws are intended to stamp out is said to be rare. ...

City moves forward with property-rights voting ordinance (08/12/11)
Shelbyville took the first move Thursday evening to make sure that nonresident property owners have the right to vote. The council passed first reading of an ordinance that would allow people who own property in Shelbyville, but do not live within the city limits, to be able to vote by absentee ballot...

New commission districts approved (08/10/11)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners approved new county commission districts drawn as a result of 2010 Census figures. The "one person, one vote" rule, affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1960s, means that in a district-based legislative body, each district should be as close in population to the others as possible. Otherwise, citizens in underpopulated districts would have a greater say in government than those from overpopulated districts...

Property rights voters gain (08/07/11)
Citizens who own property in Shelbyville, but do not live within the city limits, would be able to vote by absentee ballot if a proposed ordinance is approved by the city council. Bedford County Election Commission Administrator Summer Leverette addressed the city council over the issue Tuesday night, telling members that the move would only apply to voters who live outside the Shelbyville city limits, but own property within the city and have registered with Leverette's office under that address. ...

Voting district lines to change (07/08/11)
The population figures from last year's census are about to be used for redrawing district lines for city council members, county commissioners, school board and road board members, state legislators and U.S. congressmen. The "one person, one vote" rule, affirmed by the U.S. ...

Harwell emphasizes positive approach (04/26/11)
Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell delivered an upbeat message at Bedford County Republican Party's Reagan Day Dinner on Saturday, saying that Republicans should model themselves after Ronald Reagan, speaking not with anger or bitterness but with confidence...

Redistricting process will begin soon (03/15/11)
Bedford County Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette expects to receive the Census results next month which the county will need to begin the process of drawing new county commission districts. Leverette discussed the redistricting process during her quarterly report at this month's county commission meeting...

Presidential hopeful's goal: Visit every county in U.S. (02/24/11)
Colorado home-builder John Davis brought his GOP presidential campaign to Shelbyville on Wednesday with a stop at the Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. Davis, traveling in a brightly-painted tour bus, is attempting to visit all 3,200 counties in the U.S. as part of his campaign, and to visit the counties in three key primary and caucus states twice...

Boyce ruling overturned (02/13/11)
The Tennessee Court of Appeals has overturned a 2009 chancellor's ruling that reinstated Bedford County Sheriff Randall Boyce to peace officer certification, which allowed him to run for reelection last year. But the sheriff said he will appeal the ruling, saying the matter was "new legal ground."...

Suit accuses Davis of firing in retaliation (01/18/11)
A 24-year employee of the county trustee's office has filed a federal lawsuit against trustee Tonya Davis and Bedford County, claiming she was fired for openly supporting Davis' opponent during last year's election. Cynthia L. Ray claims that Davis and the county violated her 1st and 14th amendment rights, state rights, fired her in retaliation for exercising her constitutional rights, and intentionally inflicted emotional distress...

New council takes city's reins (12/10/10)
New Shelbyville council members took their seats last night after being sworn in for their four-year terms. And everyone agreed that they had a lot of hard work ahead of them. Outgoing councilman Al Stephenson thanked the citizens of Shelbyville for allowing him to serve three and a half years on the city council...

Class acts during rude times (11/07/10)
Now that the election is over and I can say whatever I want to the candidates, I only have one thing to say. Thank you. I am specifically directing those thanks to Jenny Hunt and Pat Marsh. I know them both, like them both, and wasn't eligible to vote for either because I live in a different district. ...

Marsh rides GOP wave to re-election; Gallagher, Stephenson, Cunningham lose to challengers (11/03/10)
State Rep. Pat Marsh, Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright and Normandy Mayor Larry Nee were handily re-elected Tuesday, but Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher lost to challenger Ron Stacy, and Shelbyville city council members Al Stephenson and Lee Roy Cunningham lost to challengers as well...

Polls open until 7 p.m. (11/02/10)

I elect not to be scared by nasty ads (10/31/10)
I was interviewing Joe Peters over at the Walking Horse Hotel earlier this week about the haunted attraction he's started there. He made a comment that made me smile. "Everybody likes to be scared," he said. Well, that's not exactly true, and he realized it and followed it up with "when they know it's not real."...

Nearly 4,000 vote early (10/29/10)
A total of 3,992 Bedford County citizens participated in the early voting period for Tuesday's general election, according to deputy administrator of elections Andrew Robertson. Robertson said the turnout was only slightly lower than what the office had been expecting and that it indicates a "decently-large" turnout on election day...

Voting starts strongly (10/20/10)
A total of 1,432 votes were cast in the first week of early voting for the Nov. 2 general election, which began Oct. 13. "It's more than we expected," said deputy administrator of elections Andrew Robertson this morning. "We kind of expected it to be slow for a November election, but we've been surprised."...

Anderson leaves Bell Buckle seat (10/13/10)
Bell Buckle Alderman James Anderson resigned his position in a letter sent to the members of the board of mayor and aldermen last week, with today being his last day. Mayor Dennis Webb made the announcement at the Tuesday night work session held prior to the regular meeting...

Early voting period begins Wednesday (10/12/10)
Early voting will begin Wednesday for the Nov. 2 general election, including the race for Tennessee governor, an amendment to the Tennessee constitution to protect the right to hunt and fish, and other state and local contests. Early voting will run Oct. 13-28 in the basement of the county courthouse. Hours are 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Mondays, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays...

Cunningham vies for re-election to council (09/29/10)
Lee Roy Cunningham has announced his candidacy for re-election to a 4th Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 2 general election. "I have tried and [am] still trying to do you the people a good job," said Cunningham. "I have not forgotten who I work for. If you have any kind of a problem with the city, I will do my best to get it fixed...

Gallagher seeks another term as mayor of Wartrace (09/26/10)
Don Gallagher has announced his candidacy for re-election as mayor of Wartrace in the Nov. 2 general election. Gallagher has served as mayor as Wartrace since 1998. Prior to this tenure of office Gallagher had been on the Wartrace Board from 1980 to 1985 and mayor in 1986 and 1987...

Stephenson seeks 2nd city council term (09/24/10)
Al Stephenson has announced his candidacy for a 2nd Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 2 general election. Stephenson served as mayor from 1995 to 1999 and is now completing his first term on the council. He has served seven years on Shelbyville Municipal Planning Commission and on the Bedford Railroad Authority board. ...

Landers announces for City Council seat (09/23/10)
Thomas Landers has announced his candidacy for a 6th Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 2 general election. Landers, 52, was appointed to the 6th Ward seat in 2008. He is a life-long resident of Shelbyville. Landers is married to the former Vicki Yoes; they have two children. He is the son of Lillie and the late Elbert Landers...

Davis seeks election as Shelbyville mayor (09/17/10)
Alton Davis has announced his write-in candidacy for mayor of Shelbyville in the Nov. 2 general election. Davis has been a licensed general contractor "most of my life," he said. He was assistant commissioner for Tennessee Department of Human Services and was director of the Department of Motor Vehicles for Tennessee Department of Revenue. He was director for the Section 504 program for the disabled, representing the state in a six-county area including Bedford...

Simpson seeks 2nd term as Wartrace alderman (09/15/10)
Ed Simpson has announced his candidacy for re-election to his seat as a Wartrace alderman in the Nov. 2 general election. Simpson, a native of Nashville, lived in Haley and Wartrace before moving to Nashville in 1945. He returned to Wartrace in 1989...

City councilmen face opposition (09/09/10)
Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright and Normandy Mayor Larry Nee will be unopposed for re-election on the Nov. 2 general election ballot, as will Normandy alderman Evelyn Hittson, but there will be contested races for Wartrace mayor, three Shelbyville city council seats and two Wartrace alderman seats...

Cartwright seeks 2nd Shelbyville mayoral term (09/08/10)
Wallace Cartwright has announced his candidacy for re-election as mayor of Shelbyville in the Nov. 2 general election. Cartwright is completing his first term, which will be only three years and four months due to a shift in the city's election schedule. City officials moved city elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years so that they could be held in conjunction with the state general election, saving the city the cost of paying for a stand-alone election...

McWherter, Black visit TWHNC (08/29/10)
Gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter and U.S. House candidate Diane Black visited the Celebration on Friday, eager for the chance to greet potential voters. McWherter is a past visitor to the Celebration whose cousin once exhibited here. Black, a state senator from Gallatin, made her first Celebration visit on Friday...

UPDATED: Horses aren't the only competitors at show (08/27/10)
It's Celebration season, and it's also election season, which means candidates for governor and the 6th District House seat will be making the pilgrimage to Shelbyville. Businessman Mike McWherter, the Democratic nominee for governor, plans to be at the show tonight, while Republican nominee and Knoxville mayor Bill Haslam will be at the show on Sept. 4, the night of the World Grand Championship...

Few changes made to final election results (08/13/10)
Bedford County Election Commission met Thursday evening to certify the local results of the Aug. 5 general and primary elections, making only minor changes to the totals announced on election night. No outcomes were changed in contested races. In the Republican primary, gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey's local total rose from 1,503 to 1,504, while congressional candidate Jim Tracy's total rose from 3,061 to 3,062...

Meek seeks 2nd Ward Shelbyville council seat (08/11/10)
Sam Meek has announced his candidacy for a 2nd Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 2 general election. Meek works with Goggin Warehousing. His career has included manufacturing, human resources and management positions. He has traveled in the U.S. and abroad on industrial development tasks...

Tracy concedes (08/10/10)
State Sen. Jim Tracy issued a concession statement this afternoon in the tight three-way Republican primary battle for the 6th District U.S. House race, although he left open the possibility that he would "reassess the situation" if irregularities came to light. "We've had a tough primary battle," stated Tracy in a news release, "but it is now time to look ahead to November and I encourage all the candidates to get behind our Republican nominee for Congress in the 6th District, Senator Diane Black." ...

Haslam, Tracy, Leming, Marsh, Hunt carry Bedford County in primaries (08/06/10)
Bedford County voters joined their counterparts statewide in choosing Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam as the Republican nominee for governor and giving complimentary votes to Mike McWherter, son of former Gov. Ned McWherter, as the unopposed candidate for the Democratic nomination. Haslam and McWherter will face each other, and a handful of independent candidates, in November....

Haslam brings Pearl for visit (08/04/10)
About 100 supporters packed Shelbyville's Parkway Cafeteria Tuesday to meet GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam -- but to also meet and get an autograph from UT men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl. With only two days before the Thursday primary, Haslam arrived at the popular dining spot in a colorful campaign bus to sell his message...

'Pretty decent' turnout for early voting (08/03/10)
A total of 2,316 citizens participated in the early voting period for Thursday's primary and general elections, according to deputy administrator of elections Andrew Robertson. That total include 1,675 who voted in the Republican primary and 640 who voted in the Democratic primary...

Guinn competes for Commission position (07/27/10)
Rodney Guinn has announced his candidacy for the 4th District seat on the Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. Guinn is a 1989 graduate of Moore County High School. He has received certifications in HVAC and commercial truck driving from Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville...

Smith asks for re-election to Commission (07/27/10)
Tony Ray Smith has announced his candidacy for re-election to a 2nd District seat on the Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. Smith currently serves on the Courthouse and Property Committee and Zoning Board. Smith is a United States Army veteran and served in Vietnam, worked at American National Can for 33 1/2 years as a supervisor or production and product control maintenance. ...

Republicans outnumber Democrats in early voting (07/25/10)
With just one week left in early voting before the Aug. 5 primary and general election, Republicans are casting more ballots than Democrats by over a two to one margin in Bedford County. Election Commissioner Summer Leverette said Friday that turnout has been "a bit slow" during the first week of voting at the Bedford County Courthouse, where folks can beat the crowd on Election Day and cast their ballots early...

Ramsey brings campaign to county (07/25/10)
With Tennessee's gubernatorial primary now less than two weeks away, Bedford County got a visit from GOP candidate Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey. Ramsey made several stops Friday afternoon, visiting local law enforcement agencies and meeting the public. His first stop was at the Shelbyville Police Department, followed by visits to the Bedford County Sheriff's Department. Parkway Restaurant, and Bell Buckle Cafe...

Gann seeks 3rd District Board of Education seat (07/21/10)
Rick Gann has announced his candidacy for election to a 3rd District seat on the Bedford County Board of Education in the Aug. 5 general election. Gann and his wife, Jeanna, have been married 23 years. They have one daughter who has attended school at Community Elementary School since beginning school and will begin attending Community Middle School in the fall. Gann and his wife moved to Bedford County in 1996...

McLellan seeks Congressional seat (07/20/10)
Bruce McLellan is a candidate for the Sixth District U.S. House of Representatives seat in the Aug. 5 Republican primary. McClellan is directing voters to his web site, www.BruceMcLellanForCongress. org, for more information about him and his campaign...

Brothers runs for re-election to commission (07/18/10)
Janice Brothers has announced her candidacy for re-election to a 3rd District seat on the Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. Brothers is the wife of the late Roger Brothers who served as commissioner for thirty years until his death in July of 2008. Janice Brothers was elected to finish his unexpired term...

Farrar seeks another commission term (07/18/10)
P.T. "Biff" Farrar has announced his candidacy for re-election to a 9th District seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. Farrar is chair of the commission's rules and legislative committee. Farrar taught social studies at Central High School for 20 years. ...

Guinn enters race for school board seat (07/16/10)
Sandra Guinn has announced her candidacy for a 4th District seat on Bedford County Board of Education in the Aug. 5 general election. Guinn worked for Walmart for 13 years, including five years in retail management, and currently works as a stay-at-home mother...

Haile seeks school board position (07/16/10)
Gary Wayne Haile has announced his candidacy for election to a 7th District seat on Bedford County Board of Education in the Aug. 5 general election. Haile has been employed by Workforce Solutions for 15 years and worked for the school system from 1990 through 1996 at Harris Middle School in the special education department. He is a 1977 graduate of Shelbyville Central High School...

Barrett asks re-election to 7th District seat (07/15/10)
Tony Barrett has announced his candidacy for re-election to a seventh district seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. Barrett has worked in law enforcement in Bedford County for 32 years as a member of Bedford County Sheriff's Department, for which he currently holds the rank of captain; as a part of the district attorney's office; as judicial commissioner; and for six years as school resource officer at Cascade High School...

Castleman seeks re-election to commission seat (07/15/10)
Edward "Ed" Castleman has announced his candidacy for re-election to an 8th District seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. This would be his third full term. He is a member of the commission's rules and legislative committee and a member of the Bedford County Emergency Communications District (E-911) board...

6th District hopefuls speak out at forum (07/14/10)
MURFREESBORO -- Nine candidates and one spokesperson gave their views as the clock ticks down on primary season in Tennessee's 6th Congressional District race. With ten people in the running -- six vying for the Republican slot, three wanting the Democratic nomination and one running as an independent -- the stage at the Tennessee Livestock Center at Middle Tennessee State University was packed...

Graham a candidate for county commission (07/13/10)
Denise Graham has announced her candidacy for a seventh district seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. Graham, a registered nurse for seven years, works at StoneCrest Medical Center in Smyrna. A 1990 graduate of Shelbyville Central High School, she received her nursing degree from Motlow State Community College in 2003...

Neeley seeks re-election to Board of Education (07/11/10)
Diane Neeley has announced her candidacy for re-election to a fourth district seat on Bedford County Board of Education in the Aug. 5 general election. Neeley, a Bedford county native, has lived in the Wheel area for the past 27 years. She is a 1982 graduate of Shelbyville Central High School and graduated from Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville, where she obtained her dental assisting license which is currently retired. ...

Yockey seeks another term on commission (07/11/10)
Linda Yockey has announced her candidacy for re-election to a fifth district seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. The district includes the Flat Creek, Normandy and Raus precincts. Yockey has been a science teacher for 30 years, with tenure, previously at Cascade High School and now at Shelbyville Central High School, where she teaches physics and chemistry...

Vannatta asks re-election to county commission (07/09/10)
Bobby Vannatta has announced his candidacy for re-election to a second district seat on the Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the August 5th general election. Vannatta was first elected to the Commission in 1994. He currently serves on the financial management committee...

Martin seeks re-election to school board seat (07/09/10)
Amy F. Martin has announced her candidacy for re-election to the third district seat on Bedford County Board of Education in the Aug. 5 general election. Martin has been employed at the Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville for 38 years; she serves as the coordinator for fiscal services and human resources and also teaches evening classes and special industrial classes in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint...

Peoples seeks commission seat (07/08/10)
Lizzie M. Peoples of Shelbyville has announced her write-in candidacy for a seventh district seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. Peoples and her husband Clyde have two daughters and three grandchildren and are members of Victory Baptist Church...

Woodson a candidate for commission seat (07/08/10)
Jimmy Woodson has announced his candidacy for re-election to a fourth district seat on the Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. The district is composed of Bedford, Liberty and Wheel precincts. Woodson served as county mayor from 1998 until 2006. ...

Adcock seeks re-election to Board of Education (07/07/10)
Ronald H. Adcock has announced his candidacy for re-election to a Second District seat on Bedford County Board of Education in the Aug. 5 general election. Adcock is the former director of Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville. A Bedford County native, he is a graduate of Community High School and Middle Tennessee State University, earning a bachelor's degree in industrial management and a master's in vocational / technical education...

Graham seeks school board seat (07/06/10)
Chad Graham has announced his candidacy for a seventh district seat on Bedford County Board of Education. Graham was appointed in November 2009 to succeed Jerry Naron, who died in September 2009. Graham, 43, has been director of Bedford County Emergency Medical Services for 13 years. He is a Bedford County native and has been a county employee since 1990...

Primary, general elections have different purposes (07/04/10)
Some voters who have spoken with the Times-Gazette are unclear about the difference between the primary and general elections which will both take place on the same day in August. Here is a brief explanation: In the general election, you are helping to make the final decision about who will take office. In the primary election, you are helping to choose your party's nominee to run in the November general election for state and federal offices...

Tillett seeks re-election to county commission (07/02/10)
Joe Tillett of Shelbyville is a candidate for a sixth district seat on the Bedford County Board of Commissioners. Tillett, a Bedford county native, is a graduate of Central High School and a Vietnam veteran who served in the U. S. Navy. He is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and earned his Master of Business Administration degree, with an emphasis in Finance, from Pfeiffer University in North Carolina...

Thomas seeks re-election to county commission (07/01/10)
Mark Thomas has announced his candidacy for re-election to a Ninth District seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 3 general election. Thomas is the chief of Bedford County Fire Department. He has been with the county fire department a total of 29 years. During part of that time, the department was an independent non-profit known as Volunteer Fire Services Inc. It is now once again a division of county government...

Epperson enters race for 4th district commission seat (06/30/10)
Anita Epperson of Shelbyville has announced her write-in candidacy for a fourth district seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. Epperson currently works for DMS in Shelbyville. She worked as a master barber and manager for a clothing store before working in the newspaper industry for 14 years. She then worked in the internet sales business...

Registration ends July 6 for election (06/24/10)
July 6 is the last day for new or purged voters to register and be eligible to participate in the Aug. 5 primary and general elections. Early voting will begin July 16 and continue through July 31. Voters may register in the county election office in the basement of the courthouse, or at any of these other locations:...

'Joe the Plumber' backs Zelenik (06/22/10)
Joseph "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher appeared Friday at the Bell Buckle Caf� to campaign for Republican Lou Ann Zelenik in the Sixth District U.S. House of Representatives race, saying that citizens should do their own research on the issues and should let principles guide them...

Commission write-ins ask to be counted (06/20/10)
Three women have asked that write-in votes for them be counted in county commission races in the Aug. 5 general election. Although Tennessee gives voters the opportunity to cast write-in votes, those votes are not counted unless the recipient asks ahead of time for them to be counted. The deadline for potential write-in candidates to fill out that form at the county election office was Wednesday...

'Joe the Plumber' stumps for Zelenik (06/20/10)
Joseph "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher appeared Friday at the Bell Buckle Caf� to campaign for Republican Lou Ann Zelenik in the Sixth District U.S. House of Representatives race, saying that citizens should do their own research on the issues and should let principles guide them...

Candidate spends day on the 'job' (06/18/10)
"I'm pretty good at this!" That was the declaration made by Mike McWherter, the unopposed Democratic candidate for governor, as he loaded a massive dishwasher Thursday at Parkway Diner. "We used to have one just like this in the governor's mansion -- and I had to use it, too!"...

Commission to choose school board member (06/17/10)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee, meeting Tuesday night, placed the sixth district vacancy on Bedford County Board of Education on the full commission's June agenda, even though the seat will be filled in the August general election...

Northcutt enters race for Shelbyville council (06/17/10)
Rex Northcutt has announced his candidacy for a Sixth Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 2 general election. Northcutt has been city engineer and surveyor for 28 years and a member of Shelbyville Planning Commission for 10 years. He is a past member of the Chamber of Commerce board, serving three terms; a member and past president of the Shelbyville Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow...

Marine joins Leming on campaign trail (06/11/10)
Retired Marine John Castellaw visited Shelbyville on Thursday to campaign with Ben Leming, a Democratic candidate for the Sixth District U.S. House seat who is also a former active duty Marine. Before retiring two years ago, Castellaw served as what he described as the chief financial officer for the Marine Corps. He had also been chief of staff for U.S. Central Command and commanded U.S. operations in East Timor in 1999-2000...

GOP candidates argue over immigration bill (06/11/10)
On Wednesday, the Tennessee Senate and House approved a bill which requires jails in Tennessee to send information to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding prisoners who don't have documentation that they are in the U.S. legally. State Sen. ...

Candidates for House seat (06/04/10)
Here is a list of official ballot candidates for the Sixth District U.S. House seat: Diane Black, Gallatin Dave Evans, Wartrace Gary Dewitt Mann, Franklin Bruce McLellan, Livingston Kerry E. Roberts, Springfield Jim Tracy, Shelbyville Lou Ann Zelenik, Murfreesboro...

Candidates discuss illegal aliens, landfill (06/04/10)
Recent activity among candidates for the Sixth District U.S. House of Representatives seat being vacated by Rep. Bart Gordon: State Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville and State Sen. Diane Black of Gallatin, both Republicans, have traded charges over Black's position on illegal immigration. ...

Commission seat qualifying won't reopen (06/03/10)
Bedford County Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette confirmed this morning that qualifying will not be re-opened for the two seventh district county commission seats, and that seventh district commission member Joyce Tune, who died Monday, will not appear on the Aug. 5 general election ballot...

Longtime commissioner Tune dies (06/01/10)
Long-time county commission member Joyce Tune died Monday at Glen Oaks Convalescent Center. Tune was appointed to succeed her husband, George Tune, in a seventh district seat on the commission following George Tune's death in 1987, and voters continued to re-elect her to the seat. She had already filed to run for re-election this year in the August general election...

Vacant school board seat added to Aug. 5 ballot (05/25/10)
The vacant Sixth District school board seat will be included on the Aug. 5 general election ballot, Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette announced on Friday. Although the qualifying period for the other races on that ballot has already ended, a qualifying period for the school board seat is now open and will end June 11 at noon. Those who qualify have until noon June 14 to withdraw...

Certified election results announced (05/16/10)
Certified totals approved Monday night from the May 4 primary election differ by only one vote in each Democratic primary race from the totals announced election night. The only difference between the unofficial election night figures and the certified totals was the result of "provisional" votes. ...

Barry enters Democratic primary for House seat (05/06/10)
Henry Clay Barry of Lebanon has announced his candidacy for the Sixth District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the Aug. 5 Democratic primary. Barry has had his own legal practice in Lebanon for 31 years and has tried lawsuits in every county in the district except Bedford and Morgan counties. He describes himself as a "small-town country lawyer."...

Ray, Boyce, Davis, Smith win primary (05/05/10)
County Mayor Eugene Ray, Sheriff Randall Boyce and Circuit Court Clerk Thomas Smith fought off challengers Tuesday to win the Democratic primary for re-election to their respective offices, while Tonya Davis defeated Jason McGee for the open trustee seat. Because no candidates for those races ran in the Republican primary or qualified to run as independents in the general election, Ray, Boyce, Smith and Davis will be unopposed on the August general election ballot....

Election Day arrives, polls open until 7 p.m. (05/04/10)
Polls for today's party primary elections remain open until 7 p.m. at normal precinct locations throughout the county. There are competitive races in the Democratic primary for county mayor, sheriff, circuit court clerk and trustee. Incumbent County Clerk Kathy Prater and Register of Deeds Johnny Reed are all but guaranteed re-election, being the only candidates who filed to run for their positions...

Leming hits campaign trail at midnight (05/02/10)
Democratic congressional candidate Ben Leming of Murfreesboro, legally prohibited from campaigning until midnight Saturday morning, wasted no time crossing the Sixth District with a 15-county tour that hit Shelbyville at 1 a.m. Saturday. Leming visited the Huddle House on North Main Street...

House hopefuls address Democrats (04/30/10)
State Sen. Eric Stewart of Belvidere told Bedford County Democratic Party on Thursday that the party stands for "a hand up, not a hand out," but said Democrats make a priority of caring for "the least of these," as commanded in Matthew 25. "Folks, that's why I'm a Democrat," said Stewart, the keynote speaker at the annual party banquet, which was held at the American Legion hall on Kingree Road...

Early voting shows large increase (04/30/10)
A total of 3,157 Bedford County citizens participated in early voting for Tuesday's primary elections during the early voting period which ended on Thursday. "Four years ago, we had around 2,400 altogether, so that's a pretty considerable increase," said deputy administrator of elections Andrew Robertson this morning...

GOP hears House hopefuls, Ramsey (04/27/10)
Republicans running for the Sixth District U.S. House of Representatives seat were the keynote speakers at Bedford County Republican Party's annual banquet Saturday night at the Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration grounds. State Sen. Diane Black of Gallatin, Dave Evans of Wartrace, Gary Mann of Franklin, Kerry Roberts of Springfield, Jim Tracy of Shelbyville and Lou Ann Zelenik of Murfreesboro participated. ...

Hunt enters Democratic primary for state House (04/18/10)
Jenny Hunt of Bell Buckle has announced her candidacy for the 62nd District State Representative seat in the August 5 Democratic primary. A Bedford County resident since 1994, Hunt holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Auburn University, majoring in personnel management and industrial relations...

Early voting begins (04/15/10)
Early voting began Wednesday for the May 4 primary elections; it will continue through April 29 in the basement of the county courthouse. Hours are 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesdays, 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays...

Crowd seeks U.S., state House seats (04/09/10)
No fewer than 19 people -- seven Republicans, seven Democrats and five independents -- have filed to succeed U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon in the Sixth District House seat. Gordon, a Democrat from Murfreesboro, is not seeking re-election. He is the longest-serving member of Tennessee's Congressional delegation...

City council looks toward election (04/06/10)
Shelbyville's city council will have only a few brief items to consider when they gather Thursday evening for their regular April meeting. November may not be on the minds of some, but the council will vote on a resolution to call for the election for mayor and council members from Wards 2, 4 and 6...

Hay announces candidacy for 6th District House seat (03/31/10)
Tommy N. Hay, a Shelbyville native now living in Smithville, has announced his candidacy as an independent for the 6th Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Bart Gordon. As an independent, Hay will be on the ballot of the November general election...

Candidates square off at forum (03/31/10)
Candidates for county office gathered Tuesday night for a sparsely-attended forum sponsored by Bedford County Democratic Party. Incumbent County Mayor Eugene Ray and his challenger, former Shelbyville Mayor Henry Feldhaus, made their cases, and Feldhaus had a tense exchange with county commission member Joe Tillett...

Haslam says state must be run like a business (03/30/10)
Knoxville mayor and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam brought his campaign to Shelbyville on Monday with a meet-and-greet at Calsonic Arena on the Celebration grounds which included an opportunity for Haslam and his wife Crissy to ride Tennessee walking horses...

Marine captain files as Democrat for Gordon seat (03/30/10)
NASHVILLE -- Marine Capt. Ben Leming of Murfreesboro has filed a petition to run as a Democrat for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Bart Gordon. Adviser Jeff Clark told The Associated Press on Monday that Leming, 34, got permission from the secretary of the Navy to file his candidacy, but can't actively campaign until his active duty ends May 1...

Gordon's change of vote draws heavy criticism (03/21/10)
As House Democrats approach an expected vote today on health care reform legislation, candidates to succeed U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon have been criticizing the bill and Gordon's last-minute decision to support it after having earlier opposed it. The measure seeks to extend coverage to 32 million uninsured people and the Congressional Budget Office estimates the proposal would cost $940 billion over 10 years...

Stemper enters race for Circuit Court Clerk (03/10/10)
David Stemper has announced his candidacy for Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk in the May 4 Democratic primary. Stemper, a 13-year resident of Bedford County, is a 1988 graduate of Boonsboro (Md.) High School and a winner of the 1987 Science Olympiad. After graduation, he worked for the Food and Drug Administration until 1993...

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful visits Shelbyville square (03/03/10)
Gubernatorial candidate Kim McMillan brought her campaign to Shelbyville on Tuesday, stopping at the county courthouse and at a business on the square to meet and greet potential voters. McMillan, a Democrat from Clarksville, is a former state house majority leader and a former senior advisor to Gov. ...

Stacy enters primary for county sheriff (02/26/10)
Rod Stacy has announced his candidacy for Bedford County Sheriff in the May 4 Democratic primary. Stacy, a lifelong resident of Bedford County, is a 1988 graduate of Shelbyville Central High School and a member of its undefeated 1987 football team. After graduation, he served in the Tennessee Army National Guard. ...

Tune seeks re-election to commission seat (02/24/10)
Joyce Tune has announced her candidacy for re-election to a Seventh District seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 5 general election. Tune, a lifelong resident of Bedford County, is the widow of George Tune, who held the same county commission seat prior to his death. She operated Tune's Union 76 / U-Haul / Greyhound for 28 years and has worked for Musgrave Pencil Company for the past 19 years...

Ray seeks re-election to county mayor post (02/21/10)
Eugene Ray has announced his candidacy for re-election as Bedford County mayor in the May 4 Democratic primary. Ray, a Bedford County native, was elected county mayor in 2006. He retained his position as chairman of the Bedford County Commission, and has served on the Commission for over 28 years. State law allows a county mayor to either chair or hold veto power over the county commission, but not both...

Marsh asks full term as state representative (02/21/10)
State Rep. Pat Marsh has announced his candidacy for re-election to his 62nd District state House of Representatives seat in the Aug. 5 Republican primary. Marsh was elected to the seat in a special election last year following the resignation of State Rep. Curt Cobb. Marsh serves on the House Commerce Committee and the House Transporation Committee...

Candidates qualify for county primary, general elections (02/19/10)
Noon Thursday was the deadline for local candidates to qualify for the May 4, 2010, party primary elections, and for independent candidates to qualify for the August general election. There will be competitive races in the Democratic primary for county mayor, sheriff, circuit court clerk and trustee. ...

Tracy announces manager, officials for U.S. House campaign (02/16/10)
State Sen. Jim Tracy has announced that Mike McCrady, who managed Pat Marsh's successful campaign for the state house last year, will serve as the manager for Tracy's campaign for the Sixth District U.S. House seat. "Mike has a great strategic mind and is an expert on grassroots campaigning. He was my first choice for the job," said Tracy in a news release. "I saw first-hand, during the Pat Marsh victory, how Mike works and I knew I wanted him on our team."...

Reed asks re-election as register of deeds (02/10/10)
Johnny Reed has announced his candidacy for re-election as Register of Deeds in the May 4, 2010, Democratic primary. The register and office staff record and preserve real estate titles, liens, contracts and other such transactions. Reed has served as register since September 2002. Prior to that, he worked in the grocery industry, including serving as market manager in the meat department at Bi-Lo...

Smith seeks re-election as Circuit Court Clerk (02/05/10)
Thomas A. Smith has announced his candidacy for re-election as Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk in the May 4 Democratic primary. Smith's duties include serving as the clerk for Circuit Court, General Sessions Court and Juvenile Court for the county. He is a 1988 graduate of the County Officials' Certificate Training Program and a member of the Middle Tennessee Clerks' Association...

Boyce seeks re-election as sheriff (02/03/10)
Randall Boyce has announced his candidacy for re-election as Bedford County Sheriff in the May 4 Democratic primary. He was first elected sheriff in 2006. Boyce, a Bedford County native, lives in Wheel. He has two children and three grandchildren. He is a certified law enforcement officer with numerous in-service hours...

Feldhaus seeks county mayor position (01/27/10)
Henry Feldhaus III has announced his candidacy for Bedford County Mayor in the May 4 Democratic primary. Feldhaus, a former two-term Shelbyville mayor and a member of Shelbyville City Council for six years, is an entrepreneur who has established several businesses in Bedford County and currently assists his wife, Jenni, at Investor Services, a family-owned investment/brokerage company. He also operates an online business selling swimming pool products nationwide...

Prater seeks re-election as county clerk (01/10/10)
Kathy K. Prater has announced her candidacy for re-election as Bedford County Clerk in the May Democratic primary. The clerk's office is responsible for registering vehicles and distributing license tags, issuing marriage licenses, accepting passport and notary public applications and keeping minutes for Bedford County Board of Commissioners...

Davis enters race for county trustee (01/03/10)
Tonya Davis has announced her candidacy for Bedford County Trustee in the May 4 Democratic Primary. Davis, a Bedford County native, is a 1975 graduate of Central High School and a graduate of Murfressboro Barber College. Davis, an experienced business woman, has owned and operated her own business for over 30 years. She has the experience of running a business, including managing employees, state and federal tax preparation, various recordkeeping, bookkeeping and working with the public...

Tracy enters Congressional race as Gordon bows out (12/15/09)
Republican State Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville filed papers on Monday to seek the Sixth District U.S. House seat, on the same day that incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon revealed he will not seek re-election. "I am definitely running," Tracy told the Times-Gazette Monday afternoon...

Tracy confirms House run (12/14/09)
State Sen. Jim Tracy confirmed this afternoon that he is filing papers today to seek the Sixth District Congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon. Tracy had been looking into the race for weeks. His announcement came on the same day that Gordon announced he would not seek re-election...

Gordon won't seek re-election next year (12/14/09)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Bart Gordon, a 13-term congressman from Tennessee, announced Monday he will not seek re-election next year, the latest Democrat in a string of retirements. Gordon, 60, won re-election easily last year, garnering 74 percent of the vote, but was still on a list of Democrats targeted by Republicans in midterm elections....

McGee announces entry in county trustee race (12/03/09)
Jason McGee has announced his candidacy for Bedford County trustee in the May 4, 2010, Democratic primary. McGee, a lifelong resident of Bedford County, has been office administrator for Bedford County Highway Department / Bedford County Solid Waste Authority since 2000 and serves as secretary for Bedford County Road Board. Prior to joining the highway department, he worked in customer service for Jostens in Shelbyville...

McWherter pays campaign visit (11/22/09)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike McWherter, the son of former Gov. Ned McWherter, visited Shelbyville on Friday, saying his experience as a businessman makes him a good choice to manage the state. "I am a small businessman," he said. "Small business is the backbone of the economy of this state."...

Pat Marsh sworn in to state House (10/27/09)
Pat Marsh was sworn in Monday as 62nd District state representative and was appointed to the House commerce and transportation committees, giving the Republican party majorities on both. Marsh is a co-founder of Big G Express, a Shelbyville-based trucking company...

State Democratic leader undeterred by 62nd District loss (10/15/09)
NASHVILLE (AP) -- Democratic House candidate Ty Cobb had an abundance of campaign cash, a coveted endorsement from a prominent anti-abortion rights organization and a family history that includes his father and brother perviously holding the seat he sought. He still lost by 15 percentage points...

Marsh wins 62nd District House seat (10/14/09)
Republican nominee Pat Marsh won the special election Tuesday to fill the vacant 62nd District seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Marsh, with an unofficial total of 4,931 votes district-wide (56 percent), defeated Democratic nominee Ty Cobb, with 3,663 votes (41 percent), and Constitution Party candidate Chris Brown, with 255 (3 percent). In Bedford County, it was Marsh with 3,215 votes to Cobb with 2,508 votes and Brown with 183....

Polls remain open until 7 p.m. in special election (10/13/09)
Polls remain open until 7 p.m. today at normal precinct locations for the special election to fill the 62nd District state House seat. The seat became vacant when Democratic incumbent Curt Cobb resigned June 30 to accept a position as Bedford County Clerk and Master. The district includes all of Bedford County, half of Lincoln County and the Eagleville area of Rutherford County...

2,638 vote early in county (10/11/09)
A total of 2,638 early and absentee votes were cast in Bedford County for the special election to fill the 62nd District state House seat, according to Adminstrator of Elections Summer Leverette. Early voting ended on Thursday. Election Day will be Tuesday. Election day polls will be open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday at all normal precinct locations...

House candidates can't agree on debate (10/09/09)
With less than a week to go before electing a new representative for the 62nd District, the three candidates have yet to meet in debate at the same time. Despite efforts from several sources, from Webb School to the Times-Gazette, no date was ever approved and agreed upon together by Chris Brown, running as an independent but with the Constitution Party's endorsement, Democrat Ty Cobb or Republican Pat Marsh. ...

Pledge becomes issue at Webb candidate forum (10/08/09)
Webb School's Town Hall meeting, a debate featuring two of the three candidates for the 62nd district seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, almost became a debate featuring one of the candidates. Democratic candidate Ty Cobb was already a no-show, and when moderator Hannah Little introduced the candidates, Republican Pat Marsh first, then Chris Brown, Brown addressed the crowd...

WEB EXTRA: Early voting ends tomorrow (10/07/09)
Early voting in the 62nd District State House race ends on Thursday. Election day is Oct. 13. As of 10:30 this morning, 2,190 voters had cast early or absentee ballots, according to deputy administrator of elections Andrew Robertson. Two of the three candidates -- Republican nominee Pat Marsh and Chris Brown, endorsed by the Constitution Party -- participated in a candidate forum Tuesday night at The Webb School in Bell Buckle. ...

Zelenik enters Sixth District house race (10/07/09)
Lou Ann Zelenik announced on Monday she has filed the necessary documents with the Federal Election Commission to formally enter the race for Congress in Tennessee's Sixth District. Zelenik, a small business owner for more than 20 and current chairman of the Rutherford County Republican Party, will seek the party's nomination to oppose U.S. ...

Bredesen makes second visit on behalf of Cobb (10/06/09)
Gov. Phil Bredesen made his second Shelbyville appearance on behalf of 62nd District state representative candidate Ty Cobb on Saturday, at a fish fry on Cobb's behalf. The apron-clad governor personally served fish to many of those in line, stepping away for a while in order to participate in public remarks...

State officials involved in 62nd District House race (10/02/09)
The special election race to fill the vacancy in the 62nd District State House of Representatives seat has attracted the attention and involvement of party officials at the state level. Democratic nominee Ty Cobb, Republican nominee Pat Marsh and Chris Brown, endorsed by the Constitution Party but listed on the ballot as an independent, are seeking the seat, which was made vacant when Ty Cobb's brother, Curt Cobb, resigned in late June. ...

Early voting running ahead of primary total (09/30/09)
Early voting in the Oct. 13 special election to fill the vacant 62nd District State House of Representatives seat got off to a strong start, according to deputy administrator of elections Andrew Robertson. As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, 1,123 voters had already voted by early vote or by paper absentee ballot. ...

Early voting begins in special House election (09/23/09)
Early voting began today in the Oct. 13 special election to fill the vacant 62nd District State House of Representatives seat. Democratic nominee Ty Cobb II, Republican nominee Pat Marsh and Chris Brown, endorsed by the Constitution Party but listed on the ballot as an independent, are seeking the seat, which was made vacant when Ty Cobb II's brother Curt Cobb resigned in late June...

Corker visits city in support of Marsh (09/20/09)
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker visited Shelbyville Friday to appear at a rally for for Pat Marsh, the Republican nominee in the 62nd District state House of Representatives race. Corker, a former real estate developer, said Marsh's background as a trucking company entrepreneur was needed in state government...

Bredesen visits to bolster Cobb campaign (09/18/09)
More than a hundred people -- including Gov. Phil Bredesen -- showed up at the Fly Cultural Arts Center Thursday night to meet and hear from Ty Cobb, a candidate for state representative, Cobb is the brother of Curt Cobb, who held the seat until July when he resigned to take a court clerk position in Bedford County...

Debate fuss continues to churn (09/17/09)
The debate over the debate continues. Candidates in the special election to fill the vacant 62nd District state House of Representative seat continue to fling accusations over who is and isn't interested in a debate. The campaign of Republican candidate Pat Marsh issued a news release criticizing Democratic candidate Ty Cobb II for his campaign's initial response to the Times-Gazette that he didn't have time for a debate...

Brown schedules forum, wants place at debate (09/15/09)
Constitution Party candidate Chris Brown refuses to be ignored in the 62nd District state house race. Saying he has received no response from the Republican and Democratic candidates in the special election about being included in debates, Brown has announced that he will hold a question and answer forum Monday night from 6 to 7 p.m. at Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center...

Marsh to Cobb: Let's talk issues (09/10/09)
Republican nominee Pat Marsh has challenged his Democratic opponent Ty Cobb II to a series of town hall debates prior to the Oct. 13 special election to fill the 62nd District state House seat. "I believe that the people of Bedford, Lincoln and Rutherford counties have a right to know where the candidates stand on the issues. ...

Possible Memphis vacancy complicates state House balance (09/09/09)
A state representative from Germantown, a suburb of Memphis, may resign from his 83rd District House seat in order to run for the state Senate, further complicating the balance of power within the House. Observers are already watching the race for the vacant 62nd District House seat representing all of Bedford and parts of Lincoln and Rutherford counties...

Commission to consider rezoning, Voter Confidence Act (09/08/09)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners will consider a rezoning for the proposed Dollar General Store in Deason and a resolution asking the state to delay implementing the Voter Confidence Act. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the second floor courtroom at the county courthouse...

Cobb loses out on campaign "buckets of cash" (09/01/09)
NASHVILLE -- Buckets of cash collected for Ty Cobb's campaign for vacated House District 62 during a major fundraising dinner put the Tennessee Democratic Party on the wrong side of state campaign finance regulations. Party officials decided to donate all the cash to charity after The Associated Press raised questions about their failure to gather the names of the people who put the money in the buckets...

Marsh wins GOP primary in state House race (08/28/09)
Pat Marsh of Shelbyville won Thursday's Republican primary for the vacant 62nd District Tennessee House of Representatives seat. Unofficial vote totals have him drawing more votes than his three opponents combined. District-wide, Marsh drew 1,826 votes to Bobby Scott's 397, Casey Walters' 348 and Joseph Byrd's 48....

Polls open until 7 p.m. (08/27/09)

891 early votes cast in House primary (08/25/09)
A total of 891 early votes were cast for Thursday's special called primary election, leading to an October general election which will fill the vacant 62nd District seat in Tennessee House of Representatives. According to Bedford County Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette, there were 718 early votes in the Republican primary, in which candidates Joseph Byrd, Pat Marsh, Bobby Scott and Casey Walters are competing, and 173 early votes in the Democratic primary, which has only one candidate, Ty Cobb II. ...

Debate over primary voting continues (08/20/09)
Tennessee 62nd District House candidate Casey Walters has continued to criticize opponent Pat Marsh for having voted in the Democratic primary 10 times over the years, saying that Marsh's explanation for having done so does not fit all of the occasions...

CORRECTED: House hopefuls square off at forum (08/20/09)
Five of the six candidates for the vacant 62nd District State House of Representatives seat faced each other in a candidate forum Tuesday night at Central High School, sponsored by the Bedford County Republican Women. Republican primary candidates Joseph Byrd, Pat Marsh, Bobby Scott and Casey Walters, and independent candidate Chris Brown, who identifies himself as a member of the Constitution Party, participated in the debate, while unopposed Democratic primary candidate Ty Cobb did not, citing a schedule conflict.. ...

Reminder: House debate is tonight (08/18/09)
Bedford County Republican Women will sponsor a debate among the candidates for the empty seat in the 62nd District state House of Representatives race tonight at 6 in the Shelbyville Central High School auditorium. All four Republican candidates and the lone independent candidate are scheduled to attend; the lone Democratic candidate declined, citing a schedule conflict...

Brown enters House race as independent (08/18/09)
Chris Brown has announced his candidacy for the 62nd District State House of Representatives in the Oct. 13 general election. Brown will be listed on the ballot as an independent but identifies himself as a member of the Constitution Party. "We have to run as an Independent because in Tennessee, ballot access for all political candidates who do not fall into the category of 'Republican' or 'Democrat' is difficult," stated Brown in a news release. ...

House foes to face off in forum (08/16/09)
All four Republican candidates -- Joseph C. Byrd, Pat Marsh, Bobby Scott and Casey Walters -- and the lone independent candidate -- Chris Brown -- in the special election process for the 62nd District State House seat have committed to attend Bedford County Republican Women's "Meet The Candidates" forum 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Central High School auditorium...

Candidate debate set (08/06/09)
Voters will have a chance to get to know the candidates for the empty seat in the 62nd District state House of Representatives race on Aug. 18, when a debate is scheduled. Bedford County Republican Women are sponsoring the debate to be held in the auditorium at Shelbyville Central High School starting at 6 p.m...

Byrd announces run for 62nd District seat (07/28/09)
Joseph C. Byrd of Unionville has announced his candidacy for 62nd District state House of Representatives, saying he believes "we need to see a return of statesmen to the political offices instead of having professional politicians." Byrd is one of four Republicans running in the special election to replace Curt Cobb, who resigned his seat in June to accept the position of Bedford County Clerk and Master, the court clerk for Chancery Court...

Cobb enters Democratic state House primary (07/26/09)
Ty Cobb, brother of former State Rep. Curt Cobb, officially announced his candidacy for 62nd District state House of Representatives seat on Friday, pledging "to work with all citizens to find commonsense solutions in Tennessee." Cobb is the only candidate in the Democratic primary, which came about after his brother Curt resigned his seat in June in order to accept the position of Bedford County Clerk and Master, the court clerk for Chancery Court...

Lieutenant Governor attends Evans fundraiser (07/21/09)
More than 50 supporters, including Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, showed up at the Walking Horse Hotel in Wartrace Sunday night for a fundraiser for congressional candidate David Evans of Wartrace. In March, Evans, a retired major general in the U.S. Army, announced his intentions to run against incumbent Bart Gordon for the sixth district house seat in 2010...

Walters joins race for state House seat (07/19/09)
Casey Walters of Fayetteville has announced his candidacy for the 62nd District Tennessee House of Representatives seat in the Aug. 27 Republican primary. Walters, a resident of Lincoln County since 1999, was raised in Memphis, where he worked as a deputy court clerk for the Criminal Court clerk's office in Shelby County...

No last-minute candidates in state House race (07/17/09)
Thursday was the deadline for candidates to file qualifying papers for the special called Aug. 27 primary and Oct. 13 general election to fill a vacancy in the 62nd District state House of Representatives seat representing all of Bedford, parts of Lincoln and Rutherford counties...

Scott seeks 62nd District seat (07/16/09)
Bobby Scott of Shelbyville has announced his candidacy for the 62nd District Tennessee House of Representatives seat in the Aug. 27 Republican primary. "Together we can make a difference in this community." said Scott in a news release. "I want to make a stand for truth, not politics in both this election and in my service in the State House. ...

CORRECTED: GOP primary field expands for House seat; Brown to run as independent (07/14/09)
Casey Walters of Fayetteville and Joseph Byrd of Unionville have filed papers to run in the Republican primary for the 62nd District Tennessee House of Representatives seat. Chris Brown of Shelbyville, after picking up qualifying papers for both party primaries and for the general election as an independent, has decided on the latter option, and will run as an independent...

Blanton will not seek state House seat (07/12/09)
Citing her husband's health, Barbara Blanton has announced that she will not seek the 62nd District State House of Representatives seat in the upcoming special election. Blanton, who made a strong but unsuccessful challenge to Democratic incumbent Curt Cobb as the Republican nominee for the seat in 2008, made the announcement on Saturday...

Marsh announces candidacy (07/10/09)
Pat Marsh has announced his candidacy for the 62nd District Tennessee House of Representatives seat in the Aug. 27 Republican primary. Marsh, a Lincoln County native and Bedford County resident, is founder and chairman of Big G Express, a family-owned trucking company...

Scott enters race; Brown picks up petitions (07/07/09)
At least one other Republican candidate has entered the special election for the 62nd District State House race created by the sudden resignation last week of Rep. Curt Cobb to take a position in the Bedford County court system. Bobby Scott informed the Times-Gazette in an e-mail Sunday that he intends to seek the seat as well. ...

Hopefuls mull run for state House seat (07/05/09)
Gov. Phil Bredesen issued a writ of election Thursday to fill the vacancy in the 62nd District State House of Representatives seat created by the resignation this week of State Rep. Curt Cobb of Shelbyville. Party primaries for the seat will be held on Aug. 27, with the general election to be Oct. 13. Three potential candidates said Thursday they were considering this weekend whether to run, and one of them made that a definite "yes" by Saturday morning...

Special election dates set for state House seat (07/02/09)
Gov. Phil Bredesen has issued a writ of election to fill the vacancy in the 62nd District State House of Representatives seat created by the resignation this week of State Rep. Curt Cobb of Shelbyville. Party primaries for the seat will be held on Aug. 27, with the general election to be Oct. 13...

Another 'tea party' scheduled Saturday at park (07/01/09)
A local group that is "tead-off" about the current state of their government will be holding another "tea party" event this Saturday. The event will be held from 7-8 p.m. at H.V. Griffin Park and is being organized by the same group of citizens who put together the previous "tea party" event earlier this year...

UPDATED: Cobb resigns to take Chancery Court post (07/01/09)
State Rep. Curt Cobb has been named Bedford County Clerk and Master by 17th Judicial District Chancellor J.B. Cox and has resigned from his House seat. Cobb began his new position today; he said this morning that he submitted his letter of resignation from the General Assembly on Tuesday...

Mudslinging starts way too early (03/19/09)
How do you decide for whom to vote? There were web sites operating a year ago at this time at which you could take a quiz about your opinions on the top issues of the day, click a button, and find out which presidential primary candidate most closely matched your views...

Evans announces for Congressional seat (03/06/09)
Bedford County Republican Party Chairman Dave Evans, of Wartrace, has formally announced his candidacy for the Sixth District U.S. House seat in 2010. Evans, who was raised in Putnam County, announced his candidacy for Congress in a speech Tuesday night to the Putnam County Republican Party in Cookeville, according to a news release...

Smith, Wamp stress GOP values (02/23/09)
U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp and Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Robin Smith rallied the GOP faithful Saturday night as the guest speakers for the annual Bedford County Republican Party dinner. --- . ...

New voting machines required by state law (01/04/09)
The "Tennessee Voter Confidence Act," which took effect Thursday, requires new voting machines that will create a paper trail for use in recounts or random spot checks. Any new voting machines purchased after Jan. 1 must be in compliance, and all machines must be in compliance by the November 2010 general election...

Local Obama backers feel emotion of victory (11/05/08)
As Americans wept, danced and cheered at celebrations across the country, local supporters of Barack Obama mirrored those sentiments at victory parties Tuesday night in Bedford County. Donna Phillips, a supporter of President-elect Obama, attended an Obama Victory Party at The Fly, and she says the moment he was declared winner was mesmerizing...

Tracy, Cobb retain state legislative seats (11/05/08)
Both of Bedford County's incumbent state legislators were re-elected Tuesday night, receiving support both locally and district-wide. State Sen. Jim Tracy, a Republican from Shelbyville, defeated Democratic challenger Jean Anne Rogers of Murfreesboro by a margin of 48,064 to 31,727 to retain his 16th district seat representing Bedford and Moore counties and part of Rutherford County. Tracy carried all three of the counties...

It's ladies first in city election (11/05/08)
Two Shelbyville city council incumbents retained their seats Tuesday while another was defeated by a previous member of that body. According to unofficial results, Ward 5 Councilman Randy Vernon was unseated by Jean Pruitt, who had previously served on the city council, by a vote of 349 to 198...

Brothers elected to late husband's commission seat (11/05/08)
"I feel like I'm finishing what he wanted us to finish," said Janice Brothers late Tuesday night, after the results of her race for the two-year unexpired term for County Commissioner District 3. The special election was to replace the former holder of that district seat -- her husband, Roger Brothers -- who passed away in July after holding that seat for more than 30 years...

Claxton in, Floyd out in Wartrace (11/05/08)
There will soon be a new face at the meetings of the Wartrace Board of Mayor and Alderman, and one who has served for decades will be missing. Scott Claxton, a postal carrier in Wartrace as well as a newspaper carrier for the Times-Gazette, not only won a seat on the board, he took the most votes on his very first venture into political waters...

UPDATED: Local voters choose McCain, Alexander, Gordon, Tracy, Cobb (11/04/08)
Bedford County's voters have supported Republican candidate John McCain for president, incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, incumbent Republican State Sen. Jim Tracy and incumbent Democratic State Rep. Curt Cobb.

Fresh voices: Students appreciate right to vote (11/03/08)
Four Central High School seniors, all 18, won't be going to the polls Tuesday morning. That's because Josh Wade, Breeann Allen, Daniel Brown and Karen Hix decided to partake in early voting. "I registered to vote at Bonnaroo this year," said Josh, who cast his vote recently for Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama. "I decided to vote early because it seemed a lot easier."...

Wait's nearly over: Election is Tuesday (11/03/08)
After months of campaigning, polls, TV commercials, debates, interviews, predictions and even sketch comedy appearances, the 2008 presidential election is finally here. Polls will be open locally from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday at precinct locations throughout the county. The local start time of 9 a.m. differs from the start time in Nashville and its surrounding counties, which is sometimes announced by Nashville media as if it were a universal standard...

Early voting record set in county (10/31/08)
Bedford County smashed its previous record early voting turnout by almost 50 percent, with 8,464 votes cast during the early voting period that ended Thursday, according to Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette. The previous record was 5,709, set during the last presidential election in 2004. This year's new record represents more than a 48 percent increase...

Commission District 3 hopefuls address issues (10/31/08)
One county commission seat appears on the general election ballot: a seat representing District 3, to fill the vacancy created by the death earlier this year of Commissioner Roger Brothers. Brothers' widow Janice was appointed to fill the seat on an interim basis until the next general election; now, she and former commission member Gale Barber are competing to finish Roger Brothers' term...

Shelbyville council candidates answer questions (10/29/08)
Candidates for Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 4 general election were asked to answer a standard set of questions, with a 100-word limit on each response. Participants were: Jo Ann Holland, Ward 1, incumbent Bobby Lee Parker Sr., Ward 1...

Wartrace candidates answer questionnaire (10/29/08)
The Times-Gazette asked the five candidates for Wartrace's three open alderman seats the same three questions. Participants were: Thomas Claxton Roston Floyd, incumbent Jean Gallagher, incumbent Thomas Hurt, incumbent...

Large turnout for early voting (10/26/08)
As of 11 a.m. Friday, with nearly a week remaining in the early voting period, 4,516 Bedford County citizens had voted in the November presidential election. "It's heavy," said Bedford County Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette. By comparison, the total voter turnout -- early plus election day -- was 13,622 in the 2004 presidential election and 13,144 in 2000. The county's record total early voting turnout was 5,709 in 2004...

State legislative candidates speak out (10/22/08)
The Times-Gazette invited the candidates for the two state legislative seats representing Bedford County to answer an identical list of questions about state issues. Candidates were allowed 200 words for their answer to the first question, since it was more open-ended, and 100 words for their answer to each of the subsequent questions...

Possible record turnout in early voting (10/16/08)
Wednesday morning saw the first day of early voting in Bedford County, and it saw something else as well -- what may be a record turnout. "It's been steady like this since 8 a.m.," said Brandy Cook, the election commission's deputy administrator, as people drifted into the basement of the Bedford County Courthouse two or three at a time to vote. "As of 10:40 a.m., we had 209 people."...

All eyes on presidential debate (10/08/08)
Barack Obama and John McCain clashed repeatedly over the causes and cures for the worst economic crisis in 80 years Tuesday night in a Nashville debate in which Republican McCain called for sweeping action by the government to directly shield many homeowners from mortgage foreclosure...

Parker seeks city council seat (10/03/08)
Bobby L. Parker Sr. has announced his candidacy for a First Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 4 general election. Parker is a lifelong resident of Bedford County and a retired brick mason. He is a member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local No. 5. He has been in construction for 45 years and ran his own business for 25 years...

Vernon announces race for City Council (10/02/08)
Randy Vernon has announced his candidacy for re-election to his Fifth Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 4 general election. Vernon, a native of Huntsville, Ala., has lived in Shelbyville for more than 20 years. He is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and is employed as executive vice president of Big G Express in Shelbyville. He is married to the former Kim Blanton and has two daughters...

Holland seeks re-election to city council (09/19/08)
Jo Ann Holland has announced her candidacy for re-election to the First Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 4 general election. Holland, a Bedford County native, is a graduate of Community High School. She was married to the late Robert L. Holland Jr. and has a daughter and three grandchildren...

Brothers seeks commission seat (09/16/08)
Janice Brothers has announced her candidacy for a Third District seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 4 election. Brothers is the wife of the late Roger Brothers, who served as a commissioner for 30 years until his death in July. She was appointed by Bedford County Board of Commissioners to serve until the next general election and is now seeking election to the post...

Political parties open campaign headquarters (09/08/08)
Both major political parties are opening Bedford County campaign headquarters in preparation for November's elections. Party headquarters serve as a central point for distributing literature, signs, bumper stickers and other campaign materials. Locally, since they are only needed for a few weeks leading up to a major general election, they tend to be located in temporary space -- a vacant or under-used building that the party can obtain on a temporary basis...

Pruitt seeks 5th ward City Council seat (08/25/08)
Jean Pruitt has announced her candidacy for the Fifth Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 4 general election. Pruitt, a lifelong resident of Bedford County, is a previous member of the council. She is retired from Nationwide Express and is a past president of Shelbyville Kiwanis Club...

Bredesen visits show before Obama tour (08/22/08)
Gov. Phil Bredesen said he would be campaigning for Barack Obama in Ohio this week. At the Futurity Wednesday night, Bredesen made an earlier-than-usual appearance at the horse show because he'll be out stumping for Obama, then heading on to the Democratic National Convention, which means he won't be available during the Celebration. Traditionally, the governor awards the floral horse show or trophy at the World Grand Championship on the last Saturday night of the show...

Clerk says she was unaware of election law change (08/21/08)
Bedford County's clerk said a change in state election law resulted in a long standing practice in her office becoming illegal without her knowledge. County Clerk Kathy Prater told the T-G this week she was unaware that allowing candidates -- including one of her own employees -- to leave business cards in the office's public area was illegal until she was informed by Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette the day before the Aug. 7 election...

Graham announces bid for Council seat (08/14/08)
Chad D. Graham has announced his candidacy for a Third Ward seat on Shelbyville City Council in the Nov. 4 general election. Graham, who has been director of Bedford County Emergency Medical Services for 11 years, has been a Bedford County employee since 1990, having served at BCEMS as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, safety officer, and captain before being named director...

Blanton victory official, state says (08/10/08)
Barbara Blanton's win in the Republican Primary for the Tennessee House of Representatives District 62 has been confirmed by updated, though unofficial, state results. Blanton received nearly 61 percent of the vote in the district, with a total of 1,186. Chris T. Brown took 13 percent of the vote, with 255; while Frederick "Danny" Lowe III took 26 percent of the vote, with 512...

UPDATED: Rogers, Parker, Blanton win (08/08/08)
Jean Anne Rogers will be the Democratic challenger to State Sen. Jim Tracy, and incumbent Dixie Parker kept her first district school board seat in Thursday's elections. In the Republican primary for the 62nd District State Representative race, The Associated Press had reported that Barbara Blanton won handily, with 1,172 votes to 512 for Frederick "Danny" Lowe and 255 for Chris Brown and all precincts reporting. ...

Unofficial Bedford County primary results (08/07/08)
These results do not include paper ballots. Primary election results, in PDF format General election results, in PDF format...

BREAKING NEWS: Parker retains School Board seat (08/07/08)
Incumbent Dixie Parker has retained her seat on Bedford County Board of Education, defeating challenger Robert Allison in the only contested local race in Thursday's general election. Parker drew 398 votes to Allison's 213 in election machine totals, with only paper ballot totals yet to be announced...

Legislative candidates licking their chops (08/06/08)
State legislative candidates will be among those on the ballot for Thursday's primary election. The incumbent candidates -- Republican State Sen. Jim Tracy and Democratic State Rep. Curt Cobb, both of Shelbyville -- will be unopposed in their respective party primaries. But each has potential challengers competing for the chance to appear on the November ballot...

Edmondson offers 'option' to Gordon (08/04/08)
Steve Edmondson, who ran for Congress as an independent in 1992 and as a Republican in 1996, got on the state's election web site this year to see which Republican candidates had qualified to challenge incumbent Democrat Rep. Bart Gordon. He found that no one was running in the Republican primary. (There is one independent candidate, Chris Baker, who will be on the ballot for the November general election.)...

Eaton feels positive as primary nears (08/04/08)
Kenneth Eaton, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Lamar Alexander, said in a telephone interview last Thursday with the Times-Gazette that he feels good about his chances in Thursday's Democratic primary. Eaton will face former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett and former Tennessee Democratic Party chair Bob Tuke, along with lesser-known candidates Mark E. Clayton, Gary G. Davis and Leonard D. Ladner. Eaton referred to his "two opponents" during the interview...

Early voting still slow, but numbers increase (07/31/08)
Early voting for the Aug. 7 primary and general elections has picked up somewhat since the slow start reported last week. "It's still not wonderful," said Administrator of Elections Summer Leverette, "but it has picked up." Early voting continues through Saturday in the basement of the county courthouse. Hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Friday, 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday...

Tracy wields heftiest budget (07/27/08)
The incumbent candidates for the state legislative seats representing Bedford County are unopposed in their party primaries, and can look ahead to the general election in November. The challengers in both seats must first get through the primary election next month...

Early voting off to slow start (07/24/08)
Bedford County Director of Elections Summer Leverette said early voting for the Aug. 7 elections has been "very slow" since beginning on Friday. Only 103 early votes had been received as of midday Tuesday, and that includes absentee ballots sent in by mail, said Leverette...

Early voting for Aug. 7 election starts Friday (07/17/08)
Friday is the first day for early voting for the Aug. 7 election in Bedford County, not only for local offices but for state primaries. Registered voters can cast their ballots until Aug. 2 at the elections office in the basement of the courthouse, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday...

Tracy announces bid for Senate seat (07/03/08)
Jim Tracy has announced his candidacy for re-election to the 16th District State Senate seat in the Aug. 7 Republican primary. The district consists of all of Bedford and Moore Counties and most of Rutherford County. In the State Senate, Tracy is the chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and serves on other committees, including the Education Committee, the State and Local Government Committee, the Commission on Aging and Disability, and the Long Term Care Advisory Council...

Lowe announces for House primary race (07/02/08)
Danny Lowe, of Fayetteville, has announced his candidacy for the 62nd District seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Lowe will be a candidate in the Aug. 7 Republican primary. Lowe has been a teacher and coach at Lincoln County High School, of which he is a graduate, for 10 years. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on a full athletic scholarship and earned academic honors as well...

Early voting to begin July 18 (07/01/08)
Early voting for the Aug. 7 primary and general elections will take place July 18 through Aug. 2, according to the county election office. July 8 is the last date to register to vote in this election. Early voting takes place in the basement of the county courthouse. Hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday...

Butler seeks state Senate seat (06/30/08)
Dee Butler, of Murfreesboro, has announced her candidacy for the 16th District State Senate seat in the Aug. 7 Democratic primary. Butler, a native of Rutherford County, was raised on a family farm designated as a "Century Farm" by the state for 100 years of family operation. She attended Murfreesboro city and Rutherford County schools and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she majored in political science...

Rogers announces state Senate bid (06/26/08)
Murfreesboro optometrist Jean Anne Rogers has announced her candidacy for the 16th District State Senate seat. Rogers will be a candidate in the Aug. 7 Democratic primary. The district includes all of Moore and Bedford counties and portions of Rutherford County...

Rose a candidate for Shelbyville council (06/12/08)
Kay Rose has announced her candidacy for the Shelbyville City Council's third ward. Rose was appointed to the council in June 2007, filling the vacancy left by Wallace Cartwright when he was elected Shelbyville mayor. "My year on the city council has given me to opportunity to learn more about how our city operates, and I'm still learning," Rose said. ...

Governor signs voting record law (06/09/08)
Gov. Phil Bredesen has signed into law a measure to require a paper record for voters' ballots in Tennessee. It's not clear yet what financial effect the measure will have on Bedford County, said Bedford County Supervisor of Elections Summer Leverette...

Obama mends fences, prepares for November (06/04/08)
The Democratic presidential nomination his, Barack Obama reached out today to mend fences with his defeated rival as Republican opponent John McCain tried to frame the fall campaign on his own terms. "I think he has exercised very bad judgment on national security issues and others," McCain said...

AP tally says Obama has clinched nomination (06/03/08)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates, becoming the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House...

Clinton will concede delegate total tonight (06/03/08)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton will concede Tuesday night that Barack Obama has the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, campaign officials said, effectively ending her bid to be the nation's first female president. Obama is 37.5 delegates shy of clinching the nomination, but he is widely expected to make up the difference Tuesday with superdelegate support and votes in South Dakota and Montana....

Senate candidate proposes energy ideas (06/03/08)
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Padgett, during a visit to Shelbyville on Monday, said that sugar cane and nuclear power could be two pieces to solving the nation's energy-crisis puzzle. In an interview at the Times-Gazette offices, Padgett also said employers who hire illegal aliens need to be prosecuted and fined more aggressively...

Clinton mounts last-ditch effort (06/02/08)
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- As Barack Obama turns to concentrate on his general election challenge, his rival Hillary Rodham Clinton is mounting a last ditch campaign to stay relevant in what is left of the Democratic presidential contest. The former first lady enters this week with an insurgent strategy not only to win over undecided superdelegates but to peel away Obama's support from those party leaders and elected officials who already have committed to back him for the nomination...

Election administrator skeptical about bill (05/14/08)
A proposal that would require a paper record for voters' ballots in Tennessee has passed the state House, but Bedford County election administrator Summer Leverette is skeptical. The measure sponsored by Rep. Gary Moore, a Joelton Democrat, was approved 88-6 on Tuesday. The companion bill, sponsored by Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Goodlettsville, is scheduled for a full Senate vote on Thursday...

Tracy faces Democratic challenge (05/09/08)
State Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) faces a challenge from either Dee Butler or Jean Anne Rogers, both Democrats from Murfreesboro, this November, depending on the outcome of the Aug. 6 Democratic primary. Lt. Gov Ron Ramsey, a Republican, told Republicans in Marshall County last Saturday that the Democratic Party plans to target Tracy and urged them to contribute to his campaign...

Ramsey agrees with Obama on gas tax holiday (05/08/08)
LEWISBURG -- One is Tennessee's first Republican lieutenant governor in 140 years, and the other is the Democratic senator from Chicago who's running for president. But they share at least one thing in common. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) was in Lewisburg on Saturday for the annual Marshall County Republican Party dinner. Barack Obama was campaigning elsewhere...

Primary struggle drags on (05/07/08)
Politically wounded and financially strapped, Hillary Rodham Clinton plunged back into the presidential campaign today even as Barack Obama declared that Tuesday's primary results left him with a "clear path to victory." Obama beat Clinton soundly in North Carolina and fell just short in an Indiana cliffhanger, a rebound for the Illinois senator that presented Clinton with fast-dwindling chances to deny him the Democratic presidential nomination...

Blanton announces for state house seat (04/30/08)
Barbara Blanton has announced her candidacy for State Representative for House District 62 in the Aug. 7 Republican primary. Blanton, president of Rotary Club of Shelbyville, served for four years as chairman of Bedford County Republican Party and four years as vice-chairman. She currently serves as State Senatorial District 16 committee woman for the state party and as secretary of the Bedford County Republican Women...

Blackburn rallies local GOP (04/21/08)
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn stressed energy, the economy and national security during a speech Saturday night at the annual Bedford County Republican Party banquet. The banquet was held at the Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration grounds. Blackburn said the party's losses in 2006 were the result of a loss of focus on key messages...

VIDEO: Blackburn addresses local GOP (04/21/08)
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn spoke about energy, the economy and Iraq during the Bedford County Republican Party banquet Saturday night at the Blue Ribbon Circle: ...

VIDEO: State Democratic chair speaks here (04/16/08)
Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Gray Sasser was the speaker at Tuesday night's Bedford County Democratic Party banquet. ...

Allison seeks School Board seat (04/16/08)
Robert A. Allison, 37, has announced that he is a candidate for a first district seat on Bedford County Board of Education in the August general election. Allison grew up on a farm near Bell Buckle. After attending Cascade Elementary School from 1976 until 1983, he graduated from The Webb School in 1989, the University of Virginia in 1992 and Georgetown University Law School in 1997...

Sasser claims party will unite behind nominee (04/16/08)
Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser told local Democrats Tuesday night that the party will unite to support its presidential nominee, whether that nominee is Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. "We are united as a party," said Sasser, the keynote speaker for Bedford County Democratic Party's annual banquet. "We might disagree right now about who our nominee is, but we are united as a party in what we want to do."...

Parker seeks re-election (04/09/08)
Dixie Parker has announced that she will run for re-election to the Bedford County School Board in District 1. Parker, a Bedford County native, has lived in Bell Buckle all her life. She is a 1963 graduate of Bell Buckle High School, completed LPN training through the Bedford County school system in 1967 and later attended Middle Tennessee State University...

Party chair will speak at Democratic banquet (04/07/08)
Gray Sasser, chairman of Tennessee Democratic Party and son of former U.S. senator and U.S. ambassador to China Jim Sasser, will be keynote speaker for the Bedford County Democratic Party Banquet, 6:30 p.m. April 15 at the American Legion hall in Shelbyville...

Blackburn to speak at GOP dinner (04/01/08)
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn will be the guest speaker for Bedford County Republican Party's annual dinner, to be held April 19 at the Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration grounds. Registration will begin at 6:30 with the dinner at 7. Blackburn will be introduced by State Sen. Jim Tracy, and there will also be a salute to veterans in attendance. A U.S. Marine Corps color guard will present the flag...

Candidates offer their views on the economy (03/31/08)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain have diagnosed the swooning U.S. economy and have come up with rival plans to revive it. If the downturn lasts as long as some economists predict, one of the three will get a chance to try to sell his or her proposal to Congress as president...

VP could be the key (03/29/08)
Here's a bit of rambling to wrangle your reading. Remember the line about the vice presidency not being worth a bucket of warm spit? It's from John Nance Garner, who was FDR's vice president -- twice. Garner's observation comes to mind as the GOP has a presumptive nominee for president and the Dems are still slugging it out...

House, Senate hopefuls file for primaries (03/18/08)
Several petitions have been turned in to Bedford County Election Commission for the State Senate and House seats up for election this year. Party primaries will be held in August with the general election in November. Republican State Sen. Jim Tracy has turned in his petition to run for re-election, and Murfreesboro Democrat Dee Butler has also filed for the 16th District seat, according to Election Commission officials...

Web poll voters don't like celebrity endorsements (03/10/08)
Readers of the Times-Gazette web site who participated in an un-scientific poll are not particularly impressed by celebrities who endorse political candidates, and 20 percent even say such endorsements can cause them to resent a candidate. This year's notable celebrity endorsements have included Jack Nicholson preparing a tongue-in-cheek video promoting Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey endorsing Barack Obama and Chuck Norris appearing with Mike Huckabee on the campaign trail. ...

Chris Brown seeks state House seat (02/20/08)
Chris Brown has announced his candidacy for the 62nd District state representative seat in the Aug. 7 Republican primary. Brown, a Bedford County native, is a self-employed owner-operator truck driver leased to Nationwide Express in Shelbyville and holds a paralegal degree. He has worked with attorneys and private investigators in the past...

Clinton, Huckabee carry Bedford (02/06/08)
Sen. Hillary Clinton, in the Democratic presidential primary, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, in the Republican primary, carried Bedford County in Tuesday's elections, echoing statewide results....

Polls open until 7 p.m. (02/05/08)

More than 1,800 early vote in primary (02/02/08)
A total of 1,804 people participated in the early vote period for Tuesday's primary elections, including 1,680 in person at the courthouse and another 124 who voted by mail or at nursing homes, according to Bedford County election administrator Summer Leverette...

Party leaders ponder primary choices (02/02/08)
Who will win? That's the question on the minds of many political watchers as the slate of presidential primaries set for Tuesday draws near. According to Connie Crafton, chair of Bedford County Democratic Party, the political scene in Tennessee and the county has been quiet. She has attended several events where representatives of the two frontrunners of her party were pushing their candidates...

Democrats to convene Feb. 9 (01/29/08)
Bedford County Democratic Party will hold a county convention Feb. 9 at noon in the second floor courtroom of the Bedford County Courthouse. The convention is the first step in a two-step process for selecting delegates to the Democratic National Convention. At the meeting, party members will elect delegates to attend the Congressional District Conventions on Feb. 23...

Tracy 'disappointed' at Thompson withdrawal (01/23/08)
State Sen. Jim Tracy said on Tuesday that he's disappointed at the withdrawal of Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson from the presidential race. "I think his message was beginning to sink in," said Tracy, who had hailed Thompson's entry in the race last May and who campaigned for Thompson in Iowa...

Early voting off to a slow start (01/23/08)
The first week of early voting for the Feb. 5 party primaries has gone slowly, according to election administrator Summer Leverette. "It's very slow," she said. As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, only 336 voters had voted in person, with another 53 voting by mail...

Early voting begins Wednesday (01/12/08)

Legislature prepares for new session (01/07/08)
NASHVILLE (AP) -- The General Assembly returns to session Tuesday with a few fresh issues and several leftovers from last year on lawmakers' plates. They can count on it being warmed up by the heat of election year politics. Political maneuvering and hot-button issues are almost certain, not least because tight budget projections mean lawmakers likely won't be distracted by spending any windfalls...

Two local candidates run unopposed (01/05/08)
Two people are running unopposed in next month's Democratic County Primary, which will include the primary for president as well. Stanley Smotherman is running unopposed for the office of Highway Superintendent and Rhonda Clanton faces no challengers for the seat of property assessor...

Obama, Huckabee are frontrunners for now (01/04/08)
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- New Hampshire is where Iowa's Democratic caucus victors get ratified and where its Republican winners get stung. Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee headed into the Granite State today as Iowa's presidential champions, one hoping to ride history's trend and the other eager to break it...

Poll participants do consider candidate's religion (12/18/07)
A majority of participants in a non-scientific Times-Gazette web site poll say they do consider a candidate's religious faith when deciding for whom to vote. The 2008 presidential campaign has touched on the issue in several ways. Republican candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is a Mormon, and observers have wondered whether religious conservatives who agree with him on many political issues might fail to support him because of theological differences. ...

Election schedule starts early in 2008 (12/10/07)
Because of Tennessee's desire to have an impact on the presidential nomination process, its presidential primary will be held Feb. 5. But as the presidential primary moves earlier, it takes the party primaries for local county-wide offices with it, meaning the primary for local offices will be six months before the general election and seven months before candidates take office. ...

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