Early voting is already underway and the Wilson County General Election is quickly approaching on Aug. 1.
Two school board seats and the Assessor of Property are both contested races on ballot.
Two other Wilson County School Board seats and a Lebanon Special School District seat all were decided in the primary with only Republican candidates in each.
Wilson County School Board incumbents Melissa Walker Lynn in Zone 3 and Jamie Farough in Zone 7 both won Republican-only races in March and will be uncontested in the general election. Heather Sadler Gallaher narrowly defeated Dusty Jones by four votes — 1,771-1,767 — to win the Lebanon Special School District seat in a Republican primary. Gallaher is uncontested in the general election.
Here is a look at the contested races for the Wilson County General Election.
Wilson County School Board District 1
Carrie Pfeiffer, I (incumbent)
Age: 47.
Family: Husband Matthew, and three children Lucy (20) a 2021 Mt. Juliet High graduate, Lilly (17) in the class of 2025 at Green Hill High and Joel (14) class of 2028 at Green Hill.
Occupation: Professional educator by training, with more than 13 years experience. Currently a homemaker.
What leads you to run? "I initially ran for school board because I was frustrated with my own board member’s leadership on serious issues from the budget to building maintenance to transportation, not to mention rigorous academics. Our district was experiencing exceptionally high growth, and my own board member fought against locating what is now Green Hill (High) in Zone One. I believed then, as I do now, that I had valuable insights to share in a leadership position, and that my attitude of conscientious building and compromise would serve our district well in solving the problems we were facing."
The most important issues to you? "These issues change from time to time as new challenges emerge, but right now I am focused on meeting the continued challenges of rapid growth while providing a safe environment and rigorous academics."
Why do you feel you are qualified to run? "I’m dedicated to serving the Wilson County that I’ve called home for decades, not any outside national interests. This is not a springboard campaign for me; this is my home. I have lived and worked in Wilson County Schools, specifically zone one, for more than 30 years. Because of this time as a student, teacher, parent and volunteer, I am deeply connected to the people and schools in this zone. I have lived through the growing pains and transition from a sleepy town to a bustling city and seen and heard what the people of this zone want from our school district all along the way. I am a proud product of this school system, raising my children in the place that raised me, and have a deep desire to continue to contribute to the growth of these schools and this community."
Gregory Hohman, R
Age: 51.
Family: Married to one wife Melanie for 23 years with two sons.
Occupation: Civil Engineer and small business owner.
What leads you to run? "We moved from California approximately three years ago. Our boys, while attending school in California, were being exposed to lessons on critical race theory, gender confusion and pedophilia in their assignments. We had enough and decided to move. Shortly after arriving in Wilson County, we saw evidence that the same curriculum had made its way here in Tennessee. I recognized the early warning signs and how the WCS District was following the same path we had just escaped. I am willing to stop the direction we are heading before itmirrors California and their failing school systems."
The most important issues to you? "We need to take care of our teachers through adequate pay and benefits and by properly addressing the ongoing discipline issues. We need to support our parents through more transparency and involvement. We need to support our students by going back to basic curriculum, eliminating the distractions in the classroom. Lastly, I understand the importance of supporting children with Individual Education Plans and 504 plans. Both of my boys required these programs and informing the parents and keeping them involved regarding the levels of support is critical to getting children the help the need to thrive in and out of school."
Why do you feel you are qualified to run? "The most important qualification I have is the courage to stand up and represent the residents of Wilson County and their values. Our schools are in desperate need of a reset back to focusing on reading, writing, and arithmetic leaving all the social ideologies to be handled at home by the parents. If someone doesn’t change the direction we are currently heading, things will only get worse and our great community will become a shell of its former self."
Wilson County School Board District 5
Brittany Ash, D
Age: 34.
Family: Married to husband Andrew for seven years.
Occupation: Director of Children's Services at a foster care agency for children with special needs.
What leads you to run? "I am a lifelong resident of Wilson County. I grew up in Gladeville and attended Wilson County Schools for K-12. I know firsthand the value of a good education, and how it is the foundation for future success. I also love school and education. Being on the Wilson County School Board is a way for me to give back to the community that raised me."
The most important issues to you? "There are many significant challenges facing our public schools, some of which have been in the media recently: Vouchers, arming teachers, culture wars and book banning. Some challenges have not been in the media: bus driver shortages, teacher turnover, cell phones and space capacity issues. I believe education is the foundation of our society, both formal subjects like reading, math and science, and informal subjects like fairness, character and kindness. All of these issues are challenges to the school system."
Why do you feel you are qualified to run? "Through my career in human services, and especially in my position as the director of a foster care program, I have learned that oftentimes, unique challenges require creative solutions. Through my lifelong residency in Wilson County, I have an innate understanding of the people here. And I believe by combining both, I will be an asset to the Wilson County School Board."
Donnie Self, R
Age: 50 (Feb. 14, 1974).
Family: A lifelong resident of Wilson County, married with six children and a grandson.
Occupation: Worked for the Lebanon Police Department from 1996-2015. Then transitioned to a position as an educator at Wilson County Schools, teaching criminal justice and emergency services at Watertown High School from 2015-2019. Since 2012, he has owned and operated Advantage Roofing Contractors while also working as a full-time real estate agent.
What leads you to run? “My main motivation for pursuing the Wilson County Zone 5 School Board seat is my genuine concern for Wilson County and its future. This pertains particularly to the well-being and academic prospects of our children. I strongly believe that education is a fundamental factor that will determine whether Wilson County prospers or declines in the years ahead.”
The most important issues to you? “Since making the decision to pursue the school board seat, I have participated in meaningful discussions with various individuals across the district who have shared their major concerns regarding Wilson County Schools. These concerns primarily revolve around school safety, teacher compensation and retention, and overall district-wide school growth. I strongly believe that effectively managing the ongoing growth we are experiencing will allow us to effectively address the previously mentioned concerns along with other concerns within our school district.”
Why do you feel you are qualified to run? “I believe that my diverse background has provided me with a range of valuable perspectives that will enable me to effectively serve as the next Wilson County School Board Zone 5 representative. My years of experience as a law enforcement officer provide me with an important perspective on school safety. In addition, my years as an educator allow me to understand the daily struggles our teachers and students experience. As a parent with school-aged children in the Wilson County School System, I am affected by the same concerns and consistently look for ways to make improvements. I have a thorough understanding of both the current issues and potential future challenges our school district may face. In my professional roles, I have a proven track record of making transparent decisions and effectively solving problems.”
Aaron Fulcher
Note: Fulcher qualified as a write-in candidate. Fulcher will not be on the ballot, but votes for him will be counted.
Age: 21.
Occupation: A college student completing a B.A. in Criminal Justice at Cumberland University in Lebanon with aspirations to become an attorney.
What leads you to run? "I am running as the conservative write-in candidate for Wilson County School Board Zone 5 because our district desperately needs young, fresh conservative perspectives. As a former student of Wilson County Schools, I have greatly benefited from public education and now feel a strong obligation to give back. I am dedicated to advocating for every student, parent and educator in our district."
The most important issues to you? "Teacher retention, student behavior and expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. We cannot educate our students without dedicated educators. With inflation and the cost of living on the rise, it’s crucial that we support our teachers financially... Our school board and administration must back our educators in managing disruptive behavior to create a better learning environment for everyone... We need skilled individuals in various trades, and Wilson County Schools should continue to expand our trade programs to ensure every student has a path to success."
Why do you feel you are qualified to run? "My mother, a former small business owner, taught me the importance of financial management and perseverance. My current experience in higher education helps me understand what students will face in the future, allowing me to advocate effectively for their preparedness. Writing legislation for State Senator Mark Pody has given me insight into the legislative process, and working it through the Tennessee General Assembly has strengthened my negotiation skills. Most importantly, my faith in Jesus Christ guides me in all my endeavors."
Assessor of Property
Stephen Goodall, R, (incumbent)
Age: 44.
Family: Married to wife Brandi for 23 years. One son, age 20 and one daughter age 16.
Occupation: The current Assessor of Property, a seat Goodall has held since 2016.
What leads you to run? "I have always enjoyed serving my community and Wilson County. I served 11 years with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office prior to being the Wilson County Assessor in 2016. I’ve had 19 years of experience being a public servant, and I consider it an honor and a privilege. I love helping people and solving problems."
The most important issues to you? "Being the assessor of over 70,000 parcels in Wilson County, my job is to locate, discover and record all improvements. The most important issue to me is to discover when there is an improvement and record it to the tax roll as soon as possible so everyone has an accurate appraised value, so all taxpayers are paying their fair share of the local property tax and to accurately value the quality of the property. As the assessor, I’m not responsible for the growth in Wilson County, I just must respond to it by adding the growth to the tax roll as fast as possible, and I have a great staff that does an excellent job at doing that."
Why do you feel you are qualified to run? "I have been the Wilson County Assessor for the last eight years. Since I’ve been in office, the Wilson County Assessor’s Office has been one of the best offices in the state. My office has trained other counties on programs at the State Division of Property Assessments' request and helped others improve how they run their office. As a department head, I’m also in charge of a county budget. I have treated taxpayers’ money like my own and have stayed in my budget and returned money to the general fund."
Derrick T. Hammond, D
Age: 49.
Family: Married.
Occupation: Senior Tax Manager.
What leads you to run? "I love Wilson County. My family and I decided to put down roots here. Wilson County has experienced and continues to experience tremendous growth. I believe it's important to provide the citizens of Wilson County a viable option to lead the assessor's office into the future as growth and change continues."
The most important issues to you? "The residents of Wilson County have shared with me several issues that are important to them, one being a better understanding of how the assessor's office directly affects them as citizens. Another important issue is modernization of the office. Our residents expect and deserve the best appraisal tools the industry has to offer. This means equitable assessments that ensure all property owners pay their fair share of taxes."
Why do you feel you are qualified to run? "I believe I'm qualified to run for assessor due to approximately 30 years of experience in property assessment. I hold all five appraisal certifications offered by The Tennessee State Board of Equalization, which includes the Tennessee Master Assessor and Tennessee Certified Assessor. Lastly, I also hold the Assessment Administration Specialist designation offered by the International Association of Assessing Officers."
Early voting
Dates: Now-July 27
Times: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday.
Early voting locations
Wilson County Election Commission, 230 E. Gay Street, Lebanon
Mt. Juliet Community Center, 1075 Charlie Daniels Parkway, Mt. Juliet
Gladeville Community Center, 95 McCrary Road
Watertown Community Center, 8630 Sparta Pike.
Election day
Voters can go to any Election Day vote center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 1, regardless of address: Voting centers are:
Saint Stephen Catholic Community, 14544 Lebanon Road, Old Hickory.
Lakeview Elementary, 6211 Saundersville Road, Mt. Juliet.
Charlie Daniels Park, 1075 Charlie Daniels Parkway, Mt. Juliet.
West Elementary, 9315 Lebanon Road, Mt. Juliet.
The Church at Pleasant Grove, 555 Pleasant Grove Road, Mt. Juliet.
Rutland Elementary, 1995 S. Rutland Road, Mt. Juliet.
Gladeville Community Center, 95 McCrary Road, Lebanon.
LaGuardo Baptist Church, 8585 TN-109, Lebanon.
Berea Church, 50 Berea Church Road, Lebanon.
Maple Hill Church, 102 Maple Hill Road, Lebanon.
Lebanon High School, 500 Blue Devil Boulevard, Lebanon.
First United Methodist Church, 415 W. Main Street, Lebanon.
Market Street Community Center, 321 E. Market Street, Lebanon.
Southside Elementary, 1224 Murfreesboro Road, Lebanon.
Carroll-Oakland School, 4664 Hunters Point Pike, Lebanon.
Watertown Community Center, 8630 Sparta Pike, Watertown.
Norene Community Center, 11770 Cainsville Road, Lebanon.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
Most Popular
Comments / 0