Crowded field of 9 will vie for 3 JC commission seats

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The largest slate of candidates in years has qualified to run in November’s Johnson City Commission elections, as nine people — including all three incumbents — could vie for the three available seats.

Local dentist Bo Westmoreland picked up his petition Thursday morning and submitted it with the requisite number of signatures by the noon deadline to round out the field. Candidates have until next Thursday to withdraw from the race (See brief profiles at the end of this story).

Northeast Tennessee League of Women Voters Vice President Ramsey McGowen called the crowded field “a wonderful thing.” She told News Channel 11 Thursday it offered Johnson Citians a choice of “candidates that represent different perspectives on what they would want to accomplish in their role as city commissioner.”

Voters can select up to three candidates in the Nov. 5 election, with the top three vote-getters serving four-year terms. They’ll join incumbents Jenny Brock and John Hunter, each of whom won re-election in the November 2022 election. Johnson City’s five commissioners serve staggered terms.

Washington County Election Administrator Dana Jones said early voting runs Oct. 16-31 on a ballot that will also include the presidential election and a Senate contest between incumbent Republican Marsha Blackburn and current State Representative Gloria Johnson, a Democrat. A variety of other local and state positions will also be up for grabs on Nov. 5.

In addition to incumbents Todd Fowler, Aaron Murphy and Joe Wise, the candidates include John Baker, Joseph Coates, Greg Cox, Jay Emberton, Jacob Luallen and Westmoreland. Baker and Emberton both ran in the 2022 election that saw Brock and Hunter come out on top.

The nine candidates will get at least one chance to get in front of voters when the League of Women Voters of Northeast Tennessee hosts a candidate forum at some point closer to the election date.

“We hope the … citizens turn out to hear what they have to say and we hope all the candidates show up to give citizens a chance to learn about who it is that’s seeking office,” McGowen said.

The large number of candidates is reminiscent of the 2020 race, when current mayor Fowler, Murphy and Wise topped a field of eight candidates. Fowler led the field to win a second term, Murphy garnered the second-most votes to win his first term, and Wise was re-elected to a second term with the third-most votes.

McGowen encouraged voters to learn about each of the candidates and about the role of a city commissioner. She said Johnson City commissioners supervise the city manager in Johnson City’s “council-manager” form of municipal government. They also approve the annual budget, pass ordinances that govern the direction of the city and appoint members to various boards and committees, which in turn provide analysis of issues for the commission.

She said commissioners are likely to be asked to participate in at least several surveys, which voters can find at sites like the League’s “Vote 411” or “VoteSmart.”

“That helps you understand which candidate stands for what kind of actions, and then casting your ballot congruent with what your priorities are for the city and what you think would work best,” McGowen said.

“The voters are the boss for city government and the city commissioners are supposed to work for the citizens.”

Candidates (in alphabetical order by last name) at this point include:

John Baker: Retired designer, co-founder of Pride Community Center, board member of the Appalachian Regional Commission on Homelessness. Ran for commission in 2022.

Joseph Coates: Project Manager at a company that provides “cyber-physical solutions” for facilities and complex infrastructure. Serves on the Johnson City Industrial Development board and Academy of Strings Foundation board. Member of the East Tennessee Republican Club, Unaka Rod and Gun Club.

Greg Cox: Realtor (Berkshire Hathaway Home Services) who has served on the Johnson City Development Authority board and Johnson City Regional Planning Commission. Cox has also volunteered with the Children’s Advocacy Board, Rotary, the Historic Zoning Commission and the Homebuilder’s Board.

Jay Emberton: Professor of Military Science at East Tennessee State University. Volunteer with the local Democratic Party. Ran for commission in 2022.

Todd Fowler: Orthopedic physician. Former volunteer with Science Hill High School athletics. City Commissioner since 2016, current mayor of Johnson City.

Jacob Luallen: IT professional, currently field technician for Unbound Digital. Volunteer experience includes homebuilding on mission trips, food bank, homeless ministries, TriPride and Northeast Tennessee Mutual Aid. Helped organize “Protect the People’s Voice” campaign.

Aaron Murphy: Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries. Pastor at Thankful Baptist Church. Member of the Johnson City Regional Planning Commission. Commissioner since 2020, current vice mayor. Johnson City Development Authority commissioner.

Joe Wise: Owner of Wise Property Solutions (property management company). Former member of the Johnson City Regional Planning Commission and Washington County Commission. Current commissioner of the Johnson City Development Authority. City Commissioner since 2016, former mayor.

Bo Westmoreland : Dentist, Westmoreland Dental Group. Former Dental Director, Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps. Has served in numerous other volunteer capacities and community associations.

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