Candidates who want to run in the Democratic and Republican county primaries May 4 can begin picking up qualifying petitions on Nov. 20.
To qualify for the primaries, candidates must turn their petitions in with the signatures of 25 registered votes by noon, Feb. 18.

Winners in the party primaries then move on to the county general election on Aug. 5
Election fever seems to be catching on already with the recent announcement by incumbent Sheriff Bill Bivens that he is running for re-election along with a shakeup in state races.
State Rep. Mike Bell, who currently represents the eastern portion of Monroe County in the 23rd House, has already announced he will seek the 9th District Senate seat, which encompasses Polk, McMinn, Bradley and Meigs counties.

Bell's announcement leaves the door wide open for new candidates to run for the House seat that represents all of McMinn County in addition to the eastern portion of Monroe County.
One candidate has already stepped through that door with former McMinn County Director of Schools John Forgety announcing last week he will run in the Aug. 5 state Republican Party primary in hopes of replacing Bell.

Candidates for the August state primaries can begin picking up petitions Jan. 1 and must complete them by April 1 to run.
In the county election next August, the ballot will include the county mayor's seat, sheriff, County Commission, Board of Education, register of deeds, Circuit Court clerk, road superintendent, trustee and county clerk.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101