LOUDON — James Massengill, Democratic candidate for sheriff in
Loudon County, will not be placed on the ballot for May,
according to the Loudon County Election Commission.
Massengill said he does not understand the decision.
“They have no valid reason to refuse me the right to run for
sheriff,” he said.
One of only two Democratic candidates registered for the county
election, Massengill submitted his petition Feb. 5 but fell
short on his requirement for Peace Officer Standards and
Training (POST) certification, according to election
Commissioner Susan Harrison.
“POST Commission has notified the Loudon County Election
Commission that Mr. Massengill could not be certified by the
POST Commission to be placed on the ballot in May,” she said.
The Election Commission will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. to certify
the ballot.
Massengill said he does not know why he was disqualified. He
said he completed the POST coursework and scored 100 percent on
the 400-question exam. He said he has 35 years of law
enforcement experience including working as a deputy for the
Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.
Katelyn Abernathy with the POST Commission headquarters in
Nashville said she did not have any information as to why
Massengill was denied certification.
The state requirements to run for sheriff include POST
certification or three years of law enforcement experience in
the last 10 years. Massengill left the LCSO in 2006.
Serving as the primary regulatory body for Tennessee law
enforcement, the POST Commission develops and enforces standards
for law enforcement agencies statewide.
In addition to setting standards, the commission certifies law
enforcement training instructors, curricula, and specialized
schools.
Stuart Starr, chairman of the Loudon County Democratic Party,
said he was disappointed to see the county lose one of its two
Democratic candidates in the upcoming election.
Other candidates who entered the Loudon County race before the
Thursday deadline include former county commissioner and school
board member Van Shaver. Shaver filed his petition Feb. 19 to
run for county commission District 5 seat B. The seat, which
represents the northern part of the county, is held by Sharon
Yarbrough, who has filed a petition to run. Marvin Stanley has
also filed.