Bob Harshbarger Jr. files for Sullivan commission seat, Barry Brickey withdraws from mayor's race

BLOUNTVILLE — Republican Bob Harshbarger Jr., recently pardoned convicted felon and husband of a U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-1st, has filed to seek public office in Sullivan County Harshbarger, also father of District 4 Tennessee state Sen. Bobby Harshbarger, R-Kingsport, has filed to run for the District 6 Sullivan County Commission seat as a Republican. That is according to filings listed on the Sullivan County Election Commission website Wednesday evening. In another local election development, Barry Brickey announced in an emailed statement Wednesday evening he is withdrawing his qualifying petition for the GOP primary for county mayor and putting his support behind Republican Zane Vanover in the May 5 party primary. Brickey is the public education and information officer for the Kingsport Fire Department. Candidates in these races have until noon Thursday, Feb. 19, to file petitions and until noon Thursday, Feb. 26, to withdraw petitions. after which the Democratic and Republican parties will determine if they can run as partisan candidates. The general election, which includes independents, is Aug. 4. Vanover, who is giving up his county commission seat, and Angie Stanley, county school board member in the middle of a four-year term and a former county commissioner, were the only filed candidates for mayor as of Wednesday evening, according to the website. Brickey and two others. Ronald Lee Gilliam and Ilda Perna, had picked up petitions. Republican Bob Harshbarger was granted a full and unconditional pardon by Republican President Donald Trump in November 2025. The pardon followed a 2013 conviction of the pharmacist, in which he pleaded guilty to health care fraud and distributing a misbranded cancer drug. The father and husband also has faced accusations related to campaign sign theft and vandalism during a previous election, allegedly targeting signs for Jon Lundberg in Blountville. Bob Harshbarger's son, Bobby Harshbarger, was running against incumbent Lundberg, R-Bristol, for the state Senate at the time. He won the Republican primary and later general election for the seat representing Sullivan and Hawkins counties. The alleged theft and vandalism occurred on the 2024 August state primary election day near the intersection of U.S. Highway 11W and state Route 394. The charges later were dismissed. Bob Harshbarger in 2013 lost his voting rights and ability to run for office, but the Trump pardon restored both. He has filed to run in the three-seat District 6, where the top three vote getters will win the primary and then the top three will win in the general election. Those listed as filed Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in District 6 were Republicans Bob Harshbarger, Matthew Johnson and Tim Pullon. Those who picked up but were not listed as filing were incumbent Jessica Means, who has announced she is seeking a state House seat, and Todd McKinley, like Stanley in the middle of a four-year county school board term. Johnson, who also is Sullivan County GOP chairman, could not be reached for comment earlier Wednesday. Also in District 6, independent Ken Osborne had filed and Jason Walden had picked up. The state Republican party rules, among other things, require candidates to have voted in three of the past four GOP primaries in which they were eligible to vote. Harshbarger was not eligible to vote once convicted. Some candidates for commission picked up as Republicans but later picked up again to run as independents, appearing only on the Aug. 4 general election ballot. Without a filed petition by the noon deadline Thursday and subsequent approval by the appropriate political party, that candidate cannot run in the primary as a partisan or file to run in the general election as an independent. BRICKEY MAKES WITHDRAWAL STATEMENT Brickey wrote in an email sent Wednesday: "After prayerful consideration and many conversations with my family, supporters, and community members, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for Sullivan County mayor. "This decision was not made lightly. I entered this race because I care deeply about the future of Sullivan County — our healthcare, our public safety, our children's education, our local economy, and the quality of life for every resident. I remain committed to those priorities and to the people who encouraged and supported my campaign. "Today, I am proud to announce my endorsement of Zane Vanover for Mayor. Zane has demonstrated the leadership, integrity, and vision necessary to move our community forward. I am confident that he will serve with dedication and transparency, without external forces pulling the strings of influence. "I encourage my supporters and all voters to unite behind Zane Vanover in the upcoming election. Together, we can ensure a strong and prosperous future for our county. "I am deeply grateful to everyone who believed in this campaign. Serving this community continues to be my highest honor, and I look forward to supporting efforts that strengthen our county in the years ahead."