Early voting underway

Early voting in Tennessee for the state primary races and local general elections began on Friday.

Early voting happens on at 309 North Parkway in the 4-H Auditorium from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays. Early voting ends on July 27.

Among the local elections, three school board races are opposed.

Glen Gaugh (Republican) challenges incumbent Ken Newman (Independent) in District 2.

Dwight Jones (Democrat) is aiming for the seat occupied by Marcia Moss (R) a year after they came before the Madison County Commission to vie for their appointment. The winner of this seat in District 5 will have to run again in 2026 as this is an unexpired term originally held by Scott Gatlin before he resigned in June of 2023.

Janice Hampton (I) has four official challengers for her seat representing District 6 on the ballot. One of them, Rebecca Creasy, has decided not to run for the seat anymore. Republican Brandilynn Taylor, Democrat Andrea Michelle Givens-Moore and Independent Winnette Bobo want to represent the eastern portion of the county on the Board.

All other local general races including two other school board positions, Property Assessor and an unexpired term each of Constable and County Commissioner are all unopposed.

There are a couple of primary races for State Representative that have gained public attention.

The Republican nomination for District 73 pits six-year incumbent Chris Todd against Jimmy Harris, two years removed from his 15-year stint as Madison County Mayor.

This is the first time for Todd to be challenged in the primary since he was first elected in 2018.

In District 80, Democrat Johnny Shaw has held the seat for 22 years, and he has two challengers for his party’s nomination.

Former Bolivar City Councilman Jonathan Joy and current Madison County Commissioner Sheila Godwin aim to unseat Shaw before he gets to the general election.

Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 1.

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news