Local Democratic Party passes election ballot resolution

By Megan R. Harrell
Star Staff

   The Carter County Democratic Party Executive Committee passed a resolution last week that will allow Democrats seeking public offices to run as Democrats on ballots in the upcoming elections. The lack of a primary election this year has made many Democratic candidate hopefuls decide to run as Independents in order to have a better chance of election.
   Both Democratic and Republican parties chose not to have a primary election this year in order to save county money. However, the Democratic party fears it will be split if candidates choose to run as Independents instead of receiving the endorsements from their own party.
   "Some Democrats think that they would be better off to run as Independents because there is no primary election, but the two-party system was developed so the process would be more Democratic," said John Fetzer, chairman of the Carter County Democratic party.
   The Democratic party will be holding a convention to allow candidates the chance to be nominated for the election ballots. The Carter County Democratic Party Convention will be held Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m. in the County Courthouse Courtroom, Main St., Elizabethton.
   All Democrats who desire to seek the office of County Executive, Sheriff, Trustee, Register of Deeds, County Clerk, Circuit Court Clerk, Superintendent of Roads, County Commissioner, and Constable have until now and the time of the Convention to announce their candidacy.
   The Democratic party hopes to see all candidate hopefuls receive the opportunity to run under the party's name. "I would consider anyone who wants to run for any of these offices," Fetzer said.
   The Carter County Democratic Women's Club will meet Monday, Feb. 25, at 5:30 p.m. at Nanny's Country Kitchen. All interested Democrats are invited to attend. Helen Fetzer, reporter for the Carter County Women's Club, can be reached at 542-4797 for additional information.