In addition to the upcoming presidential election, there will be a lot of local faces on the ballot for mayor and aldermen.

In Tipton County, every municipal mayor is part-time except for the City of Covington. The mayor is the chief executive officer of their city or town and is responsible for the city’s financial decisions and everyday activities.

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Most municipalities have what is called a board of mayor and aldermen, which is its legislative board. Aldermen, and alderwomen, are the elected officials who represent the citizens’ interests. They serve with the mayor to govern the city, vote on ordinances and approve the city’s budget. In some cities they serve on committees to help make decisions specific to different departments, such as public works, public safety or parks and recreation.

In Covington, two aldermen represent three different districts of the city and one alderman from each district is on the ballot every election year. The other municipalities have aldermen at-large who represent the entire population.

Both mayors and aldermen serve four-year terms. To qualify, candidates must be a registered voter and have spent at least a year living in the city or town in which they intend to serve.

The qualifying deadline passed on Aug. 20. Here’s who’s running:

Atoka

In Atoka, incumbents Guy Critelli and Brett Giannini are running for re-election and challengers Jeremy Lightsey, Cody Pace, Penny Pace and Christy Renfrow are running as well. Voters will elect three aldermen.

Alderman Walker Adams, who is a county commissioner, is not seeking re-election.

Brighton

Brighton Mayor Sarah Crocker has decided against running for re-election. Vice mayor Stephanie Chapman-Washam and former mayor Gus Smith are running to fill the position.

David Boone, Sonny Foster, Kristin Gardner and David Grape have qualified to run for alderman as have incumbents Shane Greer and George Smith. Former alderman and vice mayor Melissa Sartain is also running for a seat on the board.

Voters will choose four aldermen.

Burlison

Incumbent councilwoman Julie Howard and councilman James M. Kenny are running for re-election.

Covington

Each of Covington’s three districts has opposition for the open seat on the board.

Alderwoman Minnie Bommer, who represents District 1, has decided not to run for re-election. Veteran alderman John E. Edwards, who served for more than a decade before running for mayor in 2018, is running and faces opposition in Jerry Hall and William Muex.

Alderman Keith Phelps, who has been filling the unexpired District 2 term of the late Jere Hadley, will not be running for re-election, either. Jere Mason, Houston Moss, Chris Richardson and Foreeta Yarbrough have filed to run for this position.

Incumbent C.H. Sullivan, in District 3, is running unopposed.

Voters will choose one person from each district.

Gilt Edge

Mayor Steve Fletcher and councilman Adam Hursh are running for re-election without opposition.

Mason

Incumbent Virginia Rivers is running for re-election and facing opposition in former mayoral candidates Paul Broughton and Celia Jones Chastain as well as Kenneth Greening and Sha’Te Toliver.

Voters will choose three aldermen.

Neither alderman Carl Somerville nor alderwoman Dr. Keneko Claybon are seeking re-election.

Munford

Campaigning is already underway for the contested mayoral race in Munford. County commissioner and current alderman Glenn Turner is challenging incumbent Dwayne Cole, who has led the city for nearly two decades.

Incumbents Ray Deneka and Lonnie Glass are running for re-election with no challengers, though Turner’s spot will be vacant.

Deborah Reed has announced she is running as a write-in candidate.

Here’s who’s running for house and senate seats

In addition these races, Bill Hagerty (R-Gallatin) and Marquita Bradshaw (D-Memphis) are running for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring senator Lamar Alexander.

Republican Congressman David Kustoff, Democrat Erika Stotts Pearson and independent candidates Jon Dillard and James Hart are running for the 8th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

State Senator Paul Rose (R-Covington) is running to keep his District. 32 seat. Democrat Julie Byrd Ashworth of Collierville is running against him.

Rep. Debra Moody is running unopposed.

Echo Day
Author: Echo Day

Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.