Lurking around the corner: Election time again

BLOUNTVILLE — Just when you think you've recovered from the May 5 primaries, the Aug. 6 elections approach. The ballot in the Sullivan County includes contested races for sheriff and county commission, as well as Kingsport school board, aldermen and mayor. Additionally, the state and federal primaries include challenges to incumbent Republican state lawmakers, by fellow Republicans and Democrats. Both parties also have contested gubernatorial races. Election signs have been popping up across the region. Pursuant to Tennessee law, voting equipment for the August election was open for examination Wednesday morning. The sealing of the machines and printing of the zero tapes was jointly conducted by one Republican machine technician and one Democrat machine technician, appointed by the county Election Commission. County Administrator of Elections Jason Booher said he expects about 15,000 voters in the Aug 6 election, comparable to the turnout of 15,236 in May. "I've seen as low as 9,000 and as high as 20,000," Booher said. Polling times among the 25 election polling places in Sullivan County are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 6. Early voting runs July 17 to Aug. 1 at three early voting locations: the Civic Auditorium, 1550 Fort Henry Drive, Kingsport Sullivan County Election Commission Office, 3258 Highway 126 Slater Community Center, 325 McDowell St., Bristol. Times at all three locations are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Booher said he urges people to vote early to avoid lines and delays on election day. He also emphasized that voters must bring a photo identification, usually a drivers license, and must request a primary ballot from either the Democratic or Republican primaries if they want to vote in those state/federal races. Otherwise, he said they will receive only a county general election ballot. SULLIVAN COUNTY Among contested Sullivan County races, incumbent GOP Sheriff Jeff Cassidy faces a challenge from independent Jamie Free. County mayoral hopeful Zane Vanover of Kingsport faces no competition after a May primary win over school board member Angie Stanley. In contested Sullivan County Commission races, District 1 Republican Don Thompson, Democrat Terry Marek and independent Hunter Woodall are running for one seat. In District 6, three Republicans face off with independents Ken Osborne and Jason Walden for three seats. The Republicans are: Bob Harshbarger, husband of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-1st, and father of District 4 state Sen. Bobby Harshbarger, R-Kingsport District 4 state Committeeman and county archives and tourism director Matthew Johnson Tim Pullon The District 8 commission race is between Republican Stanley Hodges, incumbent Republican Mark Ireson and independent Larry Mullenix for two seats. The District 11 race for three seats is among: incumbent Republicans John Gardner and Hunter Locke newcomer GOP member Phillip Marshall, a Kingsport school board member independents Travis Sampson, Zac Thomas and Joshua French, a Kingsport school teacher. The race for county attorney is between Republican Josh Rose and independent Chris Raines III. A special election for the District 6 unexpired county constable term is between Wesley Whitaker, an appointed incumbent, and Doug Wood. Both are independents. KINGSPORT Incumbent Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery faces a challenge from Tim Sanders. In the aldermen's race for three seats are Julie Byers, Calvin Clifton, Richard Isaacs, Joshua McMillan and Tom Segelhorst. Those races are nonpartisan via the city charter. For city school board, incumbent Republicans Brandon Fletcher, president of the board, and Melissa Woods, vice president, face off with independent Derrick Browder. Those races are partisan under a decision of the political parties as allowed by Tennessee law. TENNESSEE In the GOP's gubernatorial primary, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., faces off with Monty Fritts and U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-6th. On the Democratic side are Camita Atwater, Tim Cyr, Jerri Green, Adam "Ditch" Kurtz and Keven Lee McCants. For U.S. Senate, there's incumbent Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., on the GOP side and the following in the Democratic primary: Marquita Bradshaw, Maria Brewer, Kevin Lee McCants, Civil Miller-Watkins and Diane Onyejiaka. The two winners will face off Nov. 3 with independents. U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-1st and of Kingsport, has no GOP opposition. In the Democratic primary, there's Kristi Burke, Hernan H. Garcia and David S. Kerr Jr. Harshbarger will face off with the Democratic winner and independents Nov. 3. The District 2 state House Republican race pits incumbent Rep. John Crawford of Kingsport against County Commissioner Jessica Means of Kingsport. Crawford is a former commissioner. Whoever wins will face no Democratic or independent competition in the general election. In District 3's state House race, there's Lori Love in the Democratic primary and Timothy Hill on the Republican side. They will face off Nov. 3. For District 4 state executive committeeman — in Sullivan and Hawkins counties — on the Republican side, incumbent Matthew Johnson, also running for Sullivan County Commission, is running along with Dan Bolton and Machael Hannan. Terry Marek is unopposed on the Democratic side. Republican state committeewoman hopefuls for District 4 are Leah M. Bolton and incumbent Linda D. Buckles, while Democratic state Committeewoman Lori Love faces a challenge from Robin Cleary. State ballots also ask voters whether a judge should retain their seat or be replaced.