Image Credit: Washington County, TN Government / YouTube
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The Washington County Commission met Monday night to make a decision regarding the vacant seat left open by the passing of District 9 Commissioner Suzy Williams back in June. David Stout was selected to fill that vacancy.
Opinions on the appointment varied, with many arguing that appointing Stout, who is a candidate for the seat in the next election, could be considered campaign interference.
“It is interfering with the balance,” said Washington County Democrat Party Chair Sylvain Bruni. “Let the voters decide. Let him [Stout] and other candidates run on what they have to offer to district nine. Right now, it is basically this succession plan that the GOP is imposing on district nine voters, and it’s just plain wrong.”
Democrat Raven Olson, who is running against Stout in the next election, also said that allowing Stout to fill the spot temporarily was “providing free advertising for a candidate” and that “it’s not fair” for the County Commission to do so.
Others also questioned why the position was being filled with only 45 days until the election, when the seat has been empty for several months.
During the time for public comment, it was suggested that a “caretaker” who was not affiliated with either party be appointed to serve until the election.
The Chair of the Washington County Republican Party, Turney Williams, countered that the late commissioner personally wanted Stout to succeed her.
Stout says Williams was a personal friend for more than twenty years, and he is grateful for the opportunity to follow her.
“To leave the district unrepresented for that period of time would not it’s not in the best interests of the people in the district nine,” Stout said. “So I’ll continue to campaign hard, which I have been doing. And I plan to represent everyone in the district, Republican, Independent and Democrat.”
Commissioner Jim Wheeler sent the following statement to News Channel 11:
“The Tennessee statute in this reads that the commission shall make this appointment under these circumstances. Last month we discussed it and took that duty seriously. We then gave the required notice of tonight’s vote. That State law ensures the people of District 9 are represented during the special election process. We chose to appoint David Stout because he was the choice of Commissioner Williams, the elected representative of the district, and his qualifications were outstanding. Ultimately, the voters of the 9th district will determine who represents them after the November results are certified.”
A similar incident occurred in Williamson County earlier this year, when District 10 Commissioner Meghan Guffey nominated former GOP Chair Cheryl Brown to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of another commissioner. That nomination was made with very little public notice.
After objections, the Williamson County GOP made the decision to hold a caucus-style convention to elect a temporary replacement, giving voters an opportunity to select their candidate. Bill Petty was ultimately elected as the Republican candidate for that seat.
One Response
Yes, more examples of county commissioners not listening to citizens. It’s not Suzy Williams’ place — or other commissioners’ place — to appoint her successor when there is time for an election to be held. It’s the place of the voters to select their representative. And I say that as a Constitutional Conservative Republican. Thanks for mentioning that last month here in Williamson County, 14 county commissioners appointed a temporary placeholder to a vacant commission seat, even though representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties — along with a number of citizens who spoke — all agreed that there was enough time for a county convention of both parties to select a possible replacement and allow the voice of the people to speak into the situation. For some reason, the remaining District 10 commissioner, Meghan Guffee, felt that having herself as the only District 10 county commissioner meant that District 10 citizens weren’t being represented so she just had to appoint a RINO temp. Fortunately, a solid conservative, Bill Petty, beat out the former GOP chairman, Cheryl Brown, for the chance to be the nominee for the seat in the November 5 election. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! We the people need to rein these elected officials in!