The presidential election is coming up in November, but there’s another important election happening before that.
On Aug. 1, Loudon County residents will vote in federal, state, county and, for some, city races. Early voting runs from July 12 to July 27.
When at the polls, voters can choose to receive a Democratic ballot, a Republican ballot, or a non-party ballot. Party ballots will include primary items along with general election and judicial retention items, whereas non-party ballots will not include the primary items. In primary races, party voters are choosing a candidate to appear on the ballot against the opposing party in the general election in November.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s on the ballot for the Aug. 1 election.
PRIMARY: US SENATE
The U.S. Senate includes two senators from each state, who each serve six-year terms.
Tennessee’s current U.S. senators are Republicans Marsha Blackburn, who is up for re-election this year, and Bill Hagerty, who will be up for re-election in 2026.
On Aug. 1, those voting Republican will choose to put forward either incumbent Blackburn or Tres Wittum onto the November ballot. Those voting Democrat will put forward Marquita Bradshaw, Lola Denise Brown, Gloria Johnson or Civil Miller-Watkins.
PRIMARY: U.S. HOUSE, DISTRICT 2
While the U.S. Senate makes up one of the chambers of Congress, the U.S. House of Representatives makes up the other. Each representative is elected to a two-year term for a specific congressional district.
Tennessee has nine congressional districts, with eight of them currently represented by Republicans. Tim Burchett represents District 2, and is the only Republican named in the primary. Democrat Jane George is the only one running on the democratic ballot against him.
PRIMARY: TN HOUSE
The state is divided into 99 House districts, with all representatives elected to two-year terms and standing for election at the same time. Depending on where you live in the county, you’ll vote for a representative from either District 21 or District 32.
Candidates running in the 21st District include incumbent Lowell Russell, R-Vonore, and Kenneth Moore, a Democrat from Loudon County.
In the 32nd District, incumbent Monty G. Fritts, from Roane County, is running unopposed.
PRIMARY: STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEMAN, DISTRICT 5 (UNEXPIRED TERM)
Two Tennessee Democratic Party representatives — one male and one female — from each state Senate district are elected during the gubernatorial state primary every four years.
D. Scott Hammond is running for an unexpired term.
PRIMARY: LENOIR CITY SCHOOL BOARD
The Lenoir City School System is governed by the Board of Education, which consists of five elected members serving four-year terms.
Lenoir City residents who are voting Republican can choose three out of four listed candidates to put forward onto the November ballot. Tammy Powell is running alongside incumbents Rick L. Chadwick, Mitch Ledbetter and Glenn McNish.
No Democrats are running, as the Democratic Party didn’t choose to call a primary.
(The Connection plans to publish an article focusing on these candidates on July 10.)
GENERAL ELECTION: COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 5 SEAT A (UNEXPIRED TERM)
Loudon County has 10 commissioners who serve four-year terms. In late 2022, Joe Morrison filled this position when it was vacated by the death of Harold Duff.
Morrison was nominated by Commissioner Van Shaver, who occupies District 5 Seat B, and the Commission voted unanimously to appoint Morrison to Duff’s seat until the next county general election.
He is listed as a Republican Party nominee.
GENERAL ELECTION: PROPERTY ASSESSOR
The Loudon County Assessor of Property serves for a four-year term. It is the assessor’s responsibility to discover, list, classify and value all property within the county for tax purposes.
Incumbent Mike Campbell is running unopposed. He is listed as a Republican Party nominee.
GENERAL ELECTION: LOUDON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
Board members serve terms of four years.
District 5 Seat A incumbent Melissa Browder, a Republican Party nominee, is facing Jan Hahn, a Democratic Party nominee.
The following, all listed as Republican Party nominees, are running unopposed:
• District 1 Seat A, Stephanie Bright Hatcher
• District 1 Seat B, Robert Scott Newman
• District 3, Andrew Disney
• District 5 Seat B, Lisa R Harvey
• District 7, Kenneth Presley
(The Connection plans to publish an article focusing on the contested seat on July 10.)
JUDICIAL RETENTION QUESTIONS:
In a retention election, voters are asked whether an incumbent judge should remain in office for another term. The judge is removed from the position if enough voters indicate they shouldn’t be retained. Voters will be asked whether the following two judges should be retained or replaced:
DWIGHT TARWATER, TN SUPREME COURT, AT LARGE
The Tennessee Supreme Court consists of five justices who may accept appeals of civil and criminal cases from lower state courts. Tarwater was nominated by Governor Bill Lee and confirmed by the General Assembly in 2023. “At Large” refers to a political representative who is elected to serve an entire area rather than one of its subdivisions.
MATTHEW J. WILSON, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, WESTERN DIVISION
The Court of Criminal Appeals hears trial court appeals in felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as post-conviction petitions. Court of Criminal Appeals judges are elected on a “retain-replace” ballot every eight years. Wilson was appointed to office by Governor Lee in 2023. If retained, his term will end August 31, 2030.
For more information and to see the sample ballot visit www.loudoncountyvotes.com. Note that Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day must bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by Tennessee state government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired.
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