Democrats Not Challenging In Assessor Race; Fairbanks Trying To Unseat Haynes

Friday, January 10, 2020

Hamilton County Democrats are not putting a candidate in the race for assessor of property.

Instead, the winner will be the survivor in the clash between two Republicans - incumbent Marty Haynes and County Commission Chairman Randy Fairbanks.

The County Election Commission has approved the upcoming ballot - with only the two Republicans vying for assessor.

Mr. Haynes, who won the post after Bill Bennett did not seek re-election, was formerly on the County Commission. He has served one four-year term as assessor.

The assessor contest is the only local election on the March ballot. In August, there will be an election for General Sessions Court judge, Division III. Gerald Webb was named by the County Commission to serve until the election. There will also be County School Board elections in Districts 1, 2, 4 and 7.

The billboards and picket signs will be out in full force next year when there will be a wide-open city mayor race and for the nine seats on the City Council. Mayor Andy Berke, who will be completing his second four-year term, is not eligible to run again. A host of candidates, including several City Council members, are expected to be on the ballot.

Kerry Steelman, election administrator, said he expects a run-off in the mayor's race, necessitating two city elections. He said the cost to the city will be $212,000 for each.

Then in 2022, the county mayor and County Commission seats will be up for grabs as well as the various constitutional offices, including sheriff where Jim Hammond is retiring.

Mr. Steelman said in the upcoming election that the Republican ballot will have to be two-sided. He said under a new state law that the names of local candidates go before those of party delegates. He said Third District Republican delegates would have to be on the back.

He said early voting will be Feb. 12-25. The sites will not change.

However, it was decided to stay open on Saturdays from 10-4 instead of 10-6 since the hours after 4 p.m. are "dead."

Mr. Steelman said that would save a considerable amount of Saturday overtime costs.

He said his office is trying to line up 864 election day workers. He said he relies on the parties to help. He said county Democrats had been very helpful, but he said "attempts to get information from the Republicans" has been "a struggle. They're not responsive."

It was noted that election workers are supposed to roughly be in proportion to the party makeup of the Election Commission, which is three Republicans to two Democrats. But Mr. Steelman said, come election day, individuals may ask for ballots from the other side, making it difficult to determine which party they favor.

March 3^rd, 2020 QD 12/12/2019 Noon

Candidates of the Republican Party for President of the United States (Primary)

Candidates of the Democratic Party for President of the United States (Primary)

Committed and Uncommitted Delegates-At-Large (Rep Ballot)

Committed and Uncommitted Delegates 3rd Congressional District (Rep Ballot)

Assessor of Property (Primary)

August 6^th, 2020 QD 04/02/2020 Noon

U.S. Senate (Alexander Seat) (Primary)

U.S. House of Representatives 3^rd Congressional District (Primary)

TN State Senate 10th Senatorial District (Primary)

TN State House of Representatives Districts 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 (Primary)

Assessor of Property (General)