by Christina Siebold
posted August 2, 2002
) Photo by Photo Editor Michael Locke Circuit Court Clerk candidate J. Pat Williams begins his concession speech as Republican chairman Robin Smith looks on. Click to enlarge all our photos. |
Mr. Williams conceded the Circuit Court Clerks race early in the evening, then made an emotional speech.
First thanking his supporters, Mr. Williams said, “To the Republicans in this room who believe in the same Republican principles I believe in, thank you for your support.”
In what Mr. Williams called his second speech, he blasted “the other Republicans in this room that things don’t matter to except the power you can hold on to.”
Mr. Williams said, “I never believed that we would have judges that would, in my opinion, violate the Tennessee code of judicial ethics.”
When asked, Mr. Williams declined to be specific about the charge. He also said that he felt the morning paper was biased towards his opponent.
He said he was cutting his speech short because he needed to comfort his daughter, who had left earlier in the evening. “My daughter was too upset to stand in here with some of you. She thought we were all one party. She doesn’t understand the way the world works. I don’t think I do either.“
Mr. Williams said he felt sorry for some of those in the room. “You missed some good leadership. But it’s O.K. I woke up this morning as a man truly blessed by God, and I still am.”
Chairman Robin Smith said about the Circuit Court Clerk's race, “J. Pat Williams was not beaten by Democrats, but by those who crossed over and voted elsewhere. From the White House to the courthouse, this can’t go on.”
The loudest cheers of the evening came about an hour later when Sheriff John Cupp took the stage for his acceptance speech. After Chairman Smith introduced him as “the same man I knew before the weeks and weeks of name calling and false accusations,” Sheriff Cupp accepted with barely a mention of the contentious race just completed.
He thanked his supporters, saying, “There is a passage in the Bible that says no man lives or dies to himself. That is a good passage for a political campaign. I couldn’t have done this alone.”
In his only reference to the strident tones of the campaign, Sheriff Cupp joked about stories that his wife had moved to Texas or to Pikeville. “We are together,” he said, pointing to her on the stage behind him. “All of those rumors can be put under the table.”
Brig. Gen. Carl Levi emerged victorious in his bid to fill the trustee position vacated by Bill Nobles. Mr. Levi thanked his supporters and his opponent saying, “I think we ran the cleanest race that’s probably ever been run in this county.”
Afterwards, he said he was grateful for and humbled by the confidence of Hamilton County voters. “I know some people tried to bring my age up during the campaign, but I never brought up youth or inexperience. I appreciate their confidence in me and I hope to have that confidence for the next election.”
At the end of the evening, Congressman Zach Wamp gave a rousing speech to the party faithful, pleading for unity. “Sheriff Cupp talked about Biblical principles, and there’s another good one for tonight. You shouldn’t let the sun go down on your division. We have to come together now or we won’t win in November.”
Telegraphing the party’s strategy in the governor’s race, he said, “The election in November is not about Van Hilleary and Phil Bredesen. It’s about Gore and Bredesen and Clinton, all lined up against the heart and soul of our country.”
Rep. Wamp said, “We have some great candidates that won tonight, and some great candidates that didn’t. Right now, we have to rally around those that won.”
General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon commented after the election results were in:
"The Circuit Court Clerk's race was terribly bitter. It has split an
office and several long term friendships. It seems that politics always brings out the worst in people.
"However, Paula Thompson is a very
qualified and compassionate woman. I am certain that she will put
behind what is behind and carry on with the tradition of fairness and
efficiency in that office."
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