Welcome to the second best season of all, Election Time!
There have been years when there really wasn't much in the way of choices for voters to make. Office after office went uncontested. Worser yet, there have been many years where candidates were dumber than a box of rocks.
That ain't the case this time around. Here's the match up as of 11:45am Saturday Jan 27th.
Keep in mind there could be other candidates to be added. What? Yelp. The law provides, as long as the candidate's paperwork is post marked by midnight Jan 27th, that's kosher. It could take a couple days to receive any mail in election forms.
Let's get the wittle stuff out of the way. Assessor Teresa Davis and County Clerk Sheila Stone have no opponents. They are shoe in's.
For the first time in decades, Prosecutor Jim Samples has some campaigning to do. Coming in at around 450 years old, attorney Wayne King signed up for a run at the Prosecutor's position.
Voters can chose one Magistrate from each of the two divisions. Both incumbents have decided to retire away from the public trough.
Division 1 is Jeff Boggs perch. Candidates are Andy Bragg, Ryan Thomas and Scott Bass.
Division 2 is currently held by Jeff Rider. Seeking his slot are: Wesley Armes, Nicole Summers, Frankie Jo West, Jeff Davis and Brandi Stuber Wood.
That makes some interesting match ups.
Scott Bass is a retired Green Shirt while Ryan Thomas was a Black Shirt Deputy and currently works as a school resource Badge. Jeff Davis served as our Prosecuting attorney for many years before starting his own practice with an office over in Roane County. On that last one... did you say a Head Scratcher ? Thought so.
Ms West works in the Prosecutor's office while Armes is employed over at Clay High heading up the youthful military program.
With so many to chose from and voters getting two votes (total), look at Division 2 where there are five choices. Lets say those five came in one two three four and such. The candidate with the most votes would win a seat of course but then, candidate two, three, four would not be eligible... only one winner from each District! That should lead to some hard feelings.
We got a real race in the Top Badge office. Current Top Badge Allan King (R) is running again with opposition from Randy "Poopy" Holcomb (D). Holcomb has run for many public offices in the past and was successful twice in Sheriff races.
By far the most powerful election positions in County Clay are County Commissioners. Every two year cycle, one Commissioner is up for public approval. For 2024, Connie Kinder is seeking another term on the Clay County Commission (CCC). Her only opponent is Duane Legg from the Southern end of the County.
Most readers of this site know, the Dynamic Duo is getting by with about anything and every dimly lit notion with Kinder being the lone, "Hold on folks, let's take a look at this bologna before doing something stupid". About 99% of the time, the Duo has the majority votes and does what they darn well please.
The School Board contest gets real confusing real quick.
Background: During each election cycle some on the five member Board are up for reelection. This time around Dave Pierson and Susan Bodkins put their names on the ballot to run again. In the background, there's a bunch to consider. Voters have short memories but just a few months ago, Pierson voted to close H E White and Lizemores schools. Bodkins voted to do the impossible. She voted to keep the two grade schools open. She put on an award winning performance with tears flowing and with a crackling voice, I am doing this as a Mommy. It took three tissues to get thru that spiel.
Two Fall's ago, the entire Board voted to toss the School Superintendent from his job. After that, many many supporters of the Super openly spoke: I will NEVER vote for that Board again. That rift has settled down some but that ousted guy has a large block of family member voters.
On voter memories, not that long ago, voters remember when Superintendent Linky Poo crammed down our throats an Excess Levy. It took a couple tries but he did it. He got the extra $$$ but voters tossed out tried and true Boardsters Paul Allan and Charlies Osborne. Just before that election, Sch Bd Prez JD Morris was selected to join the State Board of Education after switching political parties. Link got his Levy $$$ but lost his Board majority. Voters remember such.
Something else, on two occasions that we can remember, Susan Bodkins told the world, she would NOT run again for the School Board. The last time we heard her bow out, that was in November 2023. Hmmmmmmmmmm...
Now.
Our County is divided up into three school districts, A, B, and C. Law is clear. No more than 2 Boardsters can be elected from any one district. Currently in office Board Chair Phoebe Nichols is from A; Lo Nutter resides in B; Dave Pierson in B, and, Brooke Jones represents C District as does Susan Bodkins.
Now the challengers
District A Kenneth Tanner, John Coleman, Aaron Williams,
District B Mike Mullins, incumbent Dave Pierson
District C Just Jones who is not up for reelection this cycle and incumbent Susan Bodkins
Take a second look at that list.
Take a third look.
Because we are electing two to the Sch Bd and we already have at least one Boardster in each District, it is entirely possible for a candidate to come in second, third or maybe even fourth, and still win a seat. For instance, Phoebe Nichols is already holding one seat District A. If Aaron Williams was the top vote getter, candidates Kenneth Tanner and John Coleman could have higher votes than others but would be deemed losers.
Take a look at Dist 2 where Mike Mullins is the challenger to incumbent Dave Pierson. Mullins does not have to beat anybody else, just Pierson.
Candidates have until the middle of Feb to change their mind and get their name removed from the ballot.
For candidates, how about a freebee. Email over your four or five paragraph introduction letter for free posting on Today N Clay. jamesawaddell@hotmail.com
We've got some contested races this time around. That's good.
The Bad.
Many , most voters, only ask one question, what's in it for me or Where's my check?
Sadly there may be candidates asking those same questions.
We noticed the first sign of the season Saturday morning Jan 27th
It's pretty but see what's missing? What makes it an election violation?
AW