Langley Write In

A number of high-profile Loudon County offices were uncontested in the May 3 primary.

But before the election there was a controversy in the race for County Clerk that could have implications in the August election.

Riley Wampler, the only candidate on the ballot for the office, won the primary unopposed with 7,315 votes. Unless challenged in the August election, Wampler will take office Sept. 1.

Amy Langley filed a petition to run for clerk but was removed from the ballot by the state Republican Executive Committee because she did not live in the county before she filed to run. She said she had been assured by an attorney for the state that she only had to be living in the county to serve in the office.

Langley said she had moved to the county before the primary. She filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to put her back on the ballot, but was denied in Chancery Court.

Election returns show there were 811 write-in ballots for clerk, an unusually high number since most county races had a dozen or fewer write-in votes. Langley said there might be some connection between her previous candidacy and the high number of write-ins.

Langley said she had not made a decision about continuing her quest for clerk as a write-in candidate, emphasizing she was evaluating options and plans for August.

Susan Harrison, Loudon County election commissioner, said there is no plan to officially count write-in ballots or record the names written in. She said Langley can run as a write-in candidate in August.

“It is my understanding that she can run as a write-in if she so desires,” Harrison said.

Register of Deeds was one of the few “fee offices” with multiple candidates. Tammy Gallaher garnered 6,140 votes to 2,690 for Rick Arp. A longtime employee of the office, Gallaher campaigned on a promise to do an efficient and accurate job.

“I want to thank everyone who had faith in me that I can do the job,” Gallaher said. “I will run this office efficiently, the way I have been taught by three previous registers before me.”

Trustee George “Chip” Miler was also unopposed and received 8,030 votes. Miller said not having to campaign gave him time to work on issues such as the adoption of the extended property tax relief program. He said his office is getting lots of inquiries related to the program for the 2022 tax year.

County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw, who faced no opponent, said he has been busy with county business, including the rebuilding of the fire-damaged historic Loudon County Courthouse. He said he was glad he could focus on important issues without having to campaign. Bradshaw received 8,298 votes.

Incumbent Circuit Court Clerk Steve Harrelson was also unopposed and received 7,959 votes.