Ready, set, VOTE! Close contests expected on every level

Wilson County Administrator of Elections Phillip Warren was on the final countdown Monday for today's General Election.

Early Voting was a success, with 30,925 Wilson County residents casting their ballots between Oct. 17 and Nov. 1, which translates into 42 percent registered voters. Today, it's on to the main event.

"We're getting it all together," Warren said on Monday. "It'll be ready before quitting time today."

He said it's "so far, so good" for the big day -- the voting machines received last-minute inspections on Sunday. Now his main concern is making sure voters show up at the right polling place.

"If anyone has questions about where they vote, they should call 444-0216, and we'll have a call center here with people answering the phone just to tell people where they vote. I'm sure there'll be a lot; that's all we're getting today - people calling to find out where to vote."

Of course, the top spot on the ballot is the Presidential election. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, is striving to win a second term, while Republican challenger Mitt Romney appears to be mounting strong opposition. The race has been declared too close to call.

In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Sen. Bob Corker, a Republican, is the prohibitive favorite over the Democrat challenger Mark Clayton, who was disavowed by his party.

Closer to home, the Lebanon mayoral race will pit incumbent Mayor Philip Craighead against challenger Robert O'Brien. Like most of the candidates on the ballot locally, both have declared themselves as Independent candidates.   

The race for the Wilson County Commission District 2 seat is a contest between Richard Moses and Terry Duncan.

Lanny Jewell is in the running for the Ward 1 Lebanon City alderman seat. His opponent, Richard Rogers, who has been extradited to Georgia on outstanding warrants, is technically still on the ballot.

Fred Burton, Sr. and Annette Stafford are going head-to-head to determine who will represent Ward 2 on the Lebanon City Council.

Three candidates -- Robert "Tick" Bryan, Jim Mills and Billy Weeks -- hope to represent Ward 5 on Lebanon's City Council.
 
The race for the only spot up for grabs on the Lebanon Special School District Board is a rematch between longtime board Chairman Steve Jones and Johnie Payton. Payton won the original contest in August by four votes, and that margin of victory was parred to one vote after a recount. Jones went to court to overturn the ultimate result on the grounds that the contest was not on all the appropriate ballots. The court agreed, so today's ballot will determine who will hold the seat.

Mt. Juliet contests

Mt. Juliet residents will decide between three candidates for mayor. Incumbent Ed Hagerty faces challenges from Jim Bradshaw and Jamie Luffman.

The race for the District 1 City Commission seat features Independent candidates Jonathan Brydalski, Michael A. Gallion and Ray Justice.

Art Giles and Britt Linville are vying for a seat on the Mt. Juliet City Commission.

Mt. Juliet voters will also decide on a liquor referendum on whether to permit package stores inside the city limits.

Watertown

In Watertown, longtime Mayor Mike Jennings is running unopposed, while Jim Amero, Brandy Baird-Holcomb, Tony Lea and James (Tom) Nix will compete for the open spot on the Watertown Board of Aldermen.

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 615-444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.