Second In A Series Of Reports
Image Credit: jeffersoncountytn.gov & Google Earth
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
Election commissioners in Jefferson County, Tennessee listed 5 factors in the abrupt firing of Charles Gibson, long-time Administrator of Elections in Jefferson County.
Their approved minutes of June 18, 2025, Election Commission Meeting cite the following reasons for termination, 1) “AOE being disrespectful to [Election] Commissioners,” 2) “Commissioners treated as employees of AOE,” 3) “AOE not forthcoming with retirement date,” 4) “hiring practices,” and 5) “other.”
The approved minutes of the meeting are linked here.
In an apparent redoing of the June 18, 2025, Election Commission Meeting, 4 of the 5 commissioners in attendance at the July 10, 2025, meeting confirmed action taken at the June 18, 2025, meeting to terminate the employment of AOE Gibson.
Apparently, the original meeting advertisement for the June 18, 2025, meeting did not provide details of the action to terminate Gibson. An unadvertised agenda was handed out by the commission chair at the commencement of the meeting, detailed in the report linked here.
According to observer Marian Knight, the Election Commission stated that “We are reconfirming due to questions and rumors surrounding violations of the Open
Meetings Act.”
Knight went on to report the following statements by election commissioners.
Mr. Collins: “I was here before Charles. We made a motion to terminate Mr.
Gibson based on his lack of a retirement date. A new Administrator needs time to
become certified by the state prior to the next election. Also, his hiring practice
wasn’t desirable. Salaries given to new employees were inconsistent with those of
current employees.”
Ms. Rugel Gibson: “I voted to terminate based on input from other commissioners.”
Ms. Watkins: “I heard from community members about his retirement, but he
Wouldn’t answer the Board, and there was discrimination in the salaries of hired
staff.”
Ms. McCracken [Chair]: “We heard that he told staff he was retiring. I met with him
several times but he would not answer questions about his retirement. Also, there
was discrimination with his employees.”
Another citizen observer reported the following.
“Two reasons were given [at the July 10, 2025, meeting] for the dismissal of AOE Gibson. First, the Commission felt that they were disrespected because they learned from citizens of Mr. Gibsons’ intent to retire before the next election cycle, but were not told directly by Mr. Gibson, and when prompted, Mr. Gibson would not provide them with a date. The AOE replacement requires several months of training followed by an exam, and there was a desire to have this completed by December 22nd when “packets” are due to be released.
Second, the Commission reviewed Mr. Gibsons’ hiring practices and learned that a new hire was paid about 1.5 times what a long-term employee was being paid.
During an informal discussion with two Commissioners, I stated that all that I wanted was answers, and that the citizens deserve transparency.” – said Geary Boedeker, Jefferson County Citizen, Talbott TN.
Gibson responded as follows to action taken at the July 10, 2025, meeting in which his firing was confirmed.
“I do not feel led to respond to their nonsense about reasoning to cover for the Chairman’s personal agenda.” – said Charles Gibson, Former Administrator of Elections, Jefferson County
The Tennessee Conservative News will reach out for a second time to each election commissioner seeking specific information on the firing of Charles Gibson and will publish responses as they are made available.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
