Election sees new mayors in LaFollette and Jellico; changes to councils

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Yesterday’s election saw LaFollette elect Cliff Jennings as its new mayor, while Jellico elected Sandy Terry as its new mayor. Jennings previously served as the mayor of LaFollette for 17 years until 2004 and said he was excited to be serving once again. See the Campbell County Final at the bottom of this story.

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New council members were elected in LaFollette and Jellico, while Caryville had three unopposed aldermen voted-in. On the state side, Campbell County, along with the rest of the state voted in Republican Bill Lee once again as governor. 

In the LaFollette mayor’s race Cliff Jennings won with 548 votes.

Jennings said he was “so honored to be the mayor again.” 

“We can start this city back on the right track with a lot of hard work and dedication, we can make the city go,” Jennings said.

Jennings, speaking live over WLAF Radio, said he planned to work on paving projects, as well as address the downtown homeless problem. 

“We have a homeless problem, and I intend to work on that. People have been concerned about it and we’re going to work on it. I’ve dedicated a lifetime to try to make LaFollette better and look forward to making it a better place to live, work and play,” Jennings said.

Other mayoral candidates Bill Archer received 294 votes while Joe Bolinger received 273 votes.

The mayor’s term is for two years and will fulfill the term vacated by Mike Stanfield’s ouster.

Bill Archer received 294 votes

Joe Bolinger received 273 votes

Cliff Jennings received 548 votes

LaFollette also had two council seats on the ballot for four year terms with five candidates vying to get elected. Mark Hoskins decided not to run for re-election to council, and Mayor Phillip Farmer, who replaced Stanfield until this election, will finish the final two years of his council term.

In the LaFollette city council race, Stephanie Grimm Solomon and William Chuck Queener will fill these seats.

Jimmy Marlow received 192 votes

William “Chuck” Queener received 333 votes

Mike Evans received 319

Lonnie Hotrod Wilson received 299

Stephanie Grimm Solomon received 508 votes.

Bryan St. John’s name was on the ballot. However, he withdrew last month. St. John received votes totaling 220.

After the election, Queener stopped by WLAF to thank the voters for electing him to his first term as a politician.  Queener said he promised to “work hard for the people and be their voice.”

“Its been a great experience, and I appreciated the support. I could not have done it without my family and my wife,” Queener said.

He also thanked all who rallied behind him for his first time to be elected to office.

“For years I complained about what was going on. I decided it was time to quit complaining, roll up my sleeves and help,” Queener said.

He is a 12 year veteran of the National Guard.

“I want to see unity in the city council.  I’m passionate about revitalizing the downtown and want to work on things that keep people here. I’m passionate about our kids and want to work on activities for kids to keep them out of trouble and off the streets,” Queener said. 

In Caryville, voters elected three aldermen who will serve four year terms. Those who qualified to run for the aldermen seats are: Vickie Heatherly, Ward One; Josh Monday, Ward Two; Beth Lawson, Ward Three. All ran unopposed.

Vicki Heatherly received 321 votes

Beth Lawson received 280 votes 

Josh Monday received 260 votes

In Jellico, a mayor and six aldermen were elected to four year terms. Sandy Terry was elected as Jellico’s new mayor with  325 votes, while Dwight Osborn received 212 votes. 

Of the 11 aldermen candidates, the six chosen were: Teresa Adkins, Sara Beth Barton, Joe Creekmore, Marty Bolin, Suzette Davenport and Jerry Neal. 

Teresa Adkins received 263 votes

Sara Beth Barton received 352 votes

Clarence Beck received 87 votes

Marty Bowlin received 275 votes

Joe Creekmore received 334 votes

Suzette Davenport received 304 votes

Cortney Evans received 194 votes

Thelma S. Gibson received 64 votes

Stan Marlow, received 231 votes

Rodney “Cornbread” Minton received 213 votes

Jerry Neal received 258 votes

In the Governor’s race, Republican candidate Bill Lee won with 5,651 votes in Campbell County.

Democratic challenger Jason Brantley Martin received 1,117 votes.

Incumbent Tim Burchett  won over Mark Harmon as US House District 2 Representative. 

Burchett received 2,797 votes, while Harmon received 572 votes.

In the US House District 3 races, Chuck Fleischmann won with 2,866, while Meg Gorman trailed the incumbent. Thomas M. Rumba 24 votes and Rick Tyler garnered 36 votes.

All four constitutional amendments passed.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/08/2022-11PM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)