Wilson GOP explores idea of county primary

December 9, 2005
It's an issue local Republicans say comes with nearly every city and county election: Should there be a GOP primary for local elections?
Sources close to the party say talk of such a primary has surfaced again as area politicians look ahead to the county's August 2006 elections due, in part, to the growing popularity Republican candidates across Tennessee have enjoyed over the past decade.
And while the plan has worked well in surrounding counties — the Sumner County GOP candidates have won most county courthouse posts — local Republicans said 2006 may not bring party affiliations into the cards for county elections.
State Sen. Mae Beavers said the final decision would rest with the Wilson County Republican Party Executive Committee. Newly elected WCRP Chair Albert McCall Jr. could not be reached for comment Thursday.
"I don't know that it's anything that anybody is seriously looking at," Beavers said of the topic. " … I think that it won't be long, but whether or not this is the year, I don't know."
Prominent local Republican Phillip Warren, who has appointed a campaign treasurer for a possible run at the county mayor's seat, rejected the idea Thursday, noting he feels party affiliations carry little significance in local government.
"In my opinion, it shouldn't happen," Warren said. "County government should be nonpartisan … County government is more about the function of bricks and mortar — building schools and roads. I think that's the difference between county and city government compared to the state and federal levels."
Staff Writer Brian Harville can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 16 or by e-mail at brian.harville@lebanondemocrat.com.