Democrats, Republicans have until Friday to rescind primary election

JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Earlier this year the political parties of Campbell County asked for a primary. While they have until Fri., Nov. 21, to rescind their requests, leaders of both parties aren’t planning to do that.

“No, we do not,” Chairman of the Democrat Party Joann Vaughn said on Friday when asked if her party would be making the request.

“As for the action of our executive committee was to withdraw our request if the Democratic party does. As of now, they haven’t and ours still stands as well. We have until the 21st to rescind,” Chairman of the Republican Party Aaron Evans also said on Friday.

Both parties must ask for the primary to be cancelled in order for it to be called off, according to Mallory Rosenfeld, administrator of elections. If the primary is cancelled, the county will revert to the general election in August.

As it stands, a county primary will be held May 5 with the general election slated for Aug. 6. Candidates can start picking up petitions for the county primary on Dec. 22.

Candidates will have until Feb. 19, 2026, to qualify. For those who aren’t affiliating with a party, they can pick up petitions starting Jan. 9 and qualify by March 10 for the general election in August 2026. Voter registration deadline will be Mon., April 6, 2026.

“Our office is expecting a primary,” she said. “All of the work that is put into an August election will be put into the May election.”

This will be the first primary in Campbell County since March 1996 if it is not rescinded.

The call for a primary was set in motion in a letter sent to the election commission by the Democratic Party of Campbell County.

“People think there is no competition out there,” said Vaughn. The Democrats have been attending community events and Vaughn said the reception has been “great.”

A letter was also sent by the Republican Party calling for a county primary election.

Party affiliation and adhering to its values should start at the local level, said Evans.

Candidates can opt to run as an Independent but would forfeit any support that could come with a party affiliation, both Evans and Vaughn said.

The following county position term limits are up for election in 2026:

• County Mayor
• County Clerk
• County Commission, three (3) per district, there are five (5) districts
• County Attorney Circuit Court Clerk
• County Trustee
• Register of Deeds
• Sheriff
• School Board Member, one (1) per district, there are five (5) districts
• Constable, one (1) per district, there are five (5) districts

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 11/17/2025-6AM)