In 2022, Aikens had three candidates on the ballot, Julia Hurley, Mark Matlock and Eddie Simpson, that he was supporting for county commission. All three lost badly. In this election, Aikens had put his hope in Marty Fugate. Mr. Fugate lost badly. There's a common thread through this. Aikens endorsement is a political death nail in county politics. I can assure you, in the 5th district this is the case to the extreme. Mr. Fugate is a nice guy and might even be a good elected official but with the Aikens endorsement and support, his campaign was doomed from the start.

I know some might say, what about 2nd district commissioner William Jenkins? After all, he works for and directly answers to mayor Aikens, as the city hall maintenance man. That is true, but in the 2022 election, Aikens supported Julia Hurley, who Jenkins defeated. Jenkins has shown repeatedly in his first year and a half on commission that he will absolutely tow the Aikens line.

Outside his little thiefdom of Lenoir City, Aikens has no political clout. And to be honest, not sure he has very much political clout left in the city. Aikens and three council members will be on the ballot in November. He's telling anyone that will listen that this will be his last term in office then he'll be retiring. Anybody really believe he'll ever voluntarily walk away from all that money and power? Anybody believe Lenoir City can survive another four years of Aikens running the city?

Nothing will ever change in Lenoir City until something changes in Lenoir City.