It will be up to the Rhea County Election Commission to decide if Sheriff Mike Neal has opposition in the upcoming election.

Jerry Lawrence, Republican candidate for sheriff, filed a petition but we did not receive the required certification from the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, Election Administrator Tom Davis said.

Mr. Davis stated, "Officially, it is up to the Rhea County Election Commission to say his name won't appear on the ballot (and they will meet at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 to certify candidates), but without that certification, he does not meet statutory qualifications."

Circuit Court Clerk Jamie Holloway has opposition from Cheryl Cashman in the Democratic primary. Pam Peavyhouse is running as a Republican.

Getting automatic new terms will be Trustee Neva Webb, County Clerk Linda Shaver and Register of Deeds Gladys Best.

Attorney Larry Roddy of Dayton, an Independent candidate for General Sessions Court judge, will not appear on the May ballot. He will go directly to the August election where all three candidates will face off. Also running to replace Judge Jimmy McKenzie are J. Shannon Garrison and Carol Barron, both of Dayton.

Unopposed are longtime District Attorney Mike Taylor of Dayton and Public Defender Jeff Harmon of Dunlap.

Running for Circuit Court judge, Division III, are Steve Blount of Sewanee and Justin Angel of Pikeville. 

Subject to May Primary

Circuit Court Judge, Division I
Thomas W. “Rusty” Graham                (D)
South Pittsburg

Circuit Court Judge, Division II
J. Curtis Smith                 (D)
Dunlap

Circuit Court Judge, Division III
Steve Blount                            (D)
Sewanee

Justin Angel                            (R)
Pikeville

Chancellor
Jeffrey F. Stewart                      (D)
Winchester

District Attorney General
Mike Taylor                             (D)
Dayton

Public Defender
Jeff Harmon                             (D)
Dunlap

Trustee
Neva Webb                               (D)
Dayton

General Sessions Court Judge
J Shannon Garrison                      (D)
Dayton

Carol Ann Barron                        (R)
Dayton

Larry Roddy                             (I)
Dayton

Sheriff
Mike Neal                               (D)
Dayton

Jerry Lawrence                  (R)
Graysville  

Circuit Court Clerk                

Jamie Holloway  (D)
Spring City

Cheryl Cashman                  (D)
Dayton

Pam Peavyhouse                  (R)
Dayton

County Clerk
Linda Shaver                            (D)
Dayton

Register of Deeds
Gladys Best                             (R)
Dayton