On Tuesday, April 26, area Democrats gathered at the Franklin County Annex to meet one of the candidates in the Democratic primary for governor of Tennessee, Memphis City Councilman and lawyer, J.B. Smiley, Jr. Mr. Smiley spoke of his desire to find common ground with all constituents and gave many examples of his being a pragmatic problem solver. He is determined to visit all 95 counties in Tennessee. His opponent in the Democratic primary for Governor of Tennessee, Dr. Jason Martin of Nashville visited Franklin County in October of last year.
Voters have the opportunity to choose candidates in the primary on August 4, who will then go on to compete in the November State and National Midterm Election. August 4 is also when many local and county races will be decided including County Commission, School Board, County Mayor, Sheriff, County Clerk, Road Commissioner, and others. These local offices are just as important as the big statewide and national offices in our daily lives. They determine your property tax rate, maintain law and order, make important zoning decisions, determine teacher pay and other school programs, make sure our roads are well maintained, just to name a few. For assistance voting and to learn more about the candidates, please go to franklincountytennesseedemocraticparty.com.
Several of the candidates for local office were in attendance: Ashley Carolyn Bowers, Franklin County School Board, District 7; Bruce Manuel, TN House of Representatives, District 39; JB Smiley Jr., TN Governor; Wayne Steele, US House, District 4; Floyd Blackwell, Franklin County School Board, District 1;
Spike Hosch, Franklin County Commissioner, District 5, Seat B (Left to right)
Franklin County (TN) Democratic Party 