Weaver may be challenged for re-election

March 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

40th District State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver may be challenged for the nomination in the Tennessee Republican Primary on August 4th.

Local businessman Michael Hale of Smithville has been issued a qualifying petition by the DeKalb County Election Commission to run for the Republican nomination. Weaver of Lancaster recently obtained her petition in Smith County to seek the GOP party nomination on August 4. Weaver is in her seventh term. She was first elected in 2008. The term is for two years.

Neither Hale or Weaver has yet filed their petitions.

With redistricting, the new makeup of the 40th District includes Jackson, Smith, and Cannon in addition to DeKalb and a small portion of Wilson.

State primary elections will be held on Thursday, August 4 for Governor, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senators, and Tennessee House of Representatives. General elections will also be held for state judicial offices and applicable county offices.

The qualifying deadline for state primary elections is Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 12:00 Noon including for Independent candidates and the withdrawal deadline is Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 12:00 Noon.

March 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

One of the candidates who had planned to run in the Republican primary for Circuit Court Judge Part I has been disqualified from that race.

Dana R. Looper of Putnam County sought the Republican nomination for the judgeship in the Thirteenth Judicial District.

Potential candidates can be challenged as “bona fide” members of a party. Each political party’s state executive committee went through the appeal process and the Republican Party disqualified Looper.

With Looper’s departure from the race, William T. “Will” Ridley will be unopposed in the May 3 GOP Primary and will face Incumbent Judge Amy Turnbull Hollars, an Independent candidate in the August General Election.

This district includes Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties.

In a Facebook post, Looper responded to the challenge against her.

“Two ‘interested parties” challenged my status as a candidate in the Republican Primary based on a recent change in the Republican bylaws. I am disappointed and somewhat bewildered to announce that I have been disqualified from continuing in the race for Circuit Court Judge, part 1. My disqualification results from a challenge placed by unknown persons regarding my voting record,” said Looper.

“When filing my campaign papers, I never thought twice about what’s in my heart, I chose the party that best reflects my beliefs today. I had hoped to be the first Republican female judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit District. But reality is, the voters will not get to decide, and my opponent will run unopposed in the Republican primary. I appreciate everyone who has voiced their support and everyone’s willingness to work in this campaign. I’ve faced closed doors before and will grow from this obstacle as well,” said Looper.

March 3, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School has released the names of 44 Top Rank students in the Class of 2022 including the Valedictorian Isabella G. France and the Salutatorian Jacey A. Hatfield.

Bella is the daughter of Kim and Will Frazier and Tim and Karen France. Jacey’s parents are Jeremy and Jennifer Hatfield.

To be considered for top Rank, students must take at least 10 honors, dual enrollment, and AP courses and students must have a 21 or higher ACT composite score.

The following students have met requirements to be considered for Top Rank:
1. Isbella G. France
2. Jacey A. Hatfield
3. Jasmine M. Bilbrey
4. Sean B. Antoniak
5. Natalie M. Snipes
6. Aidan G. Whitman
7. Kadee B. Ferrell
8. Haidyn R. Hale
9. Kennedy G. Agee
10. Nathaniel P. Crook
11. Dexton B. Emberton
12. Steve D. Trapp
13. Kennedy G. Polk
14. Jordan M. Young
15. Shanti Liu
16. Isaac D. Knowles
17. Sadie R. West
18. Amarious J. Shaw
19. Jenna L. Cantrell
20. Madelyn R. Ray
21. Kaydence R. Thompson
22. Lynsie P. Cooper
23. Isaiah L. Harrington
24. Madison N. Lack
25. Kiley I. Speaks
26. Jathan R. Willoughby
27. Ian M. Paladino
28. Allison J. Wilbur
29. Richard D. Martinez, III
30. Grayson S. Hendrix
31. Faith J. Betancourt
32. Ariel B. Patterson
33. Allison D. Eastes
34. Tylan C. Panker
35. Summer M. Crook
36. Jonathan D. Lawson
37. Matthew D. Keaton
38. Breanna G. Cothern
39. Malayna N. Nokes
40. Alexandra B. Cook
41. Dawson L. Bandy
42. Jamison R. Trapp
43. Erykah S. Duverne
44. Hagen W. Waggoner