Educators will have a large presence on the Bradley County Commission in Terry Caywood, Louie Alford, Adam Lowe, Dr. Mel Griffith, Robert Rominger and Bill Winters if the results of the primary stand the test of the Aug. 5 general election. Six of 14 commissioners could have strong ties to education as former county school board members, county teachers or Lee University staff. In the first district, Caywood said he ran for commissioner to work hard and never took the election for granted and “if the Lord wants that, then I thank Him for it,” he said. Caywood received 1,592 votes (43.89 percent) and incumbent Ed Elkins got 1,155 (31.84 percent) to Garry D. Moore’s 871 (24.01 percent) votes. In the second district, incumbents Louie Alford and Connie Wilson won the election over challenger Dennis Duggins, but their campaigns will continue until the county general when voters will choose between the two Republicans who will face Democrat Pam Edgemon. Alford is a former educator. Commissioner Wilson chairs the Education Committee. When asked if jobs or education is more important, Wilson said the two issues go hand-in-hand. “Bradley County is a shining star in the state of Tennessee and it is only going to shine brighter,” she said. “Education has been talked about for years, but I really believe people are going to get onboard now.” Alford, who is also a former coach, likened the election process to a football game. “We’ve only played the first half,” he said.

In District 3, Republicans Tommy Anderson and incumbent Brian Smith will face local businessman Jeff Morelock in August. Smith won the primary with 898 votes (51.82) while Anderson received 622 votes (35.89). Will Witte finished with 204 votes (11.77).

Morelock said he looks forward “to a spirited race with those two gentlemen.” Incumbent 4th District Commissioner Howard Thompson returns for another four-year term with a new counterpart in J. Adam Lowe. Lowe finished second by a narrow margin over T. Stacy Hayes. Thompson received the most support with 859 (29.75 percent) votes. Lowe, 774 (26.81) and Hayes, 754 (26.12). Incumbent Jim Smith ended the campaign in fourth with 497 (17.22).

It was the first foray into county politics for Hayes and Lowe. Thompson commended the pair for their hard work during the hotly contested campaign. He said the district must come together as a whole and work together on problems and he believes Lowe will do just that. “Everybody worked hard and it paid off for them. I appreciate anybody who gets out and works like they did,” Thompson said. “I can work with Adam. I can work with Adam. I enjoyed working with Jim (Smith) what time he was there. We have a new one now and hopefully we can work the district good and find out what the people want. That’s the main thing.” In the fifth district, incumbents Bill Ledford and Jeff Yarber will continue their campaigns against Democrat Mark Neeley in the general election. Yarber received 459 (36.28), Ledford, 452 (35.73) and Larry Bryant brought in 351 (27.75) votes.

Yarber, who was a staunch supporter of 3rd District Commissioner Lisa Stanbery in her campaign for county mayor, congratulated Mayor D. Gary Davis, who was re-elected by a wide margin. He expressed hope of finding common ground and working with the mayor for four more years. Yarber said he would support Davis as the Republican nominee. “I hate to see my good friend Lisa Stanbery go down in defeat, but I think she ran an excellent campaign. She worked hard. I endorsed her. I have no regrets,” he said. “If I lost any support in my district, I’d do it again. I think she is a top-notch individual and I think Mayor Davis is a top-notch politician.”

Winners in the sixth and seventh district will not have to compete in the county general election. Incumbent Dr. Mel Griffith finished second with 548 (16.9) votes behind Robert Rominger who received 617 (19.10) in a field of 12 candidates who vied to replace Roy Smith, who retired earlier in the year. In the seventh district, incumbent Mark Hall will be joined by Bill Winters. Hall finished in second place 731 (24.26) votes. Winters finished with 797 (26.45). Former commissioner Lindsay Hathcock finished third with 708 (23.5) and incumbent Michael Plumley finished with 609 (20.21). Plumley thanked voters of the seventh district for 12 years on the commission. “It’s been a wonderful journey and wonderful ride and I’m very pleased with what I’ve done. We’ve made great progress and there is a lot more progress to make in this county. I look forward to the days ahead to see the outcome.”