In the Lenoir City judges election, Aikens has been working for years to get his hand picked candidate, city attorney, Greg Harrison, behind the bench. Aikens even made the city council change the law that would allow Harrison to run for the job. Harrison doesn't live in the city so the law had to be changed to allow an outsider to run for the office. Then he made the city council slash the salary for the job from $75,000.00 to $7,200.00 in hopes no other candidate would run for the office.

Incumbent judge, Robin McNabb and Lenoir City attorney, Amanda Smith, not deterred by the massive salary cut, also decided to run for the office. Ultimately, using all the political clout he could muster, Aikens was able to get Harrison elected by 37 votes. Harrison got 350 votes. Incumbent judge, Robin McNabb came in second with 313 with Amanda Smith coming in 3rd with 296 votes. A three person race is always a challenge when turnout is low.

Harrison now joins the team of folks who owe Aikens big time. I guess we should give Harrison the benefit of the doubt. After all, he gave up his $60,000.00 per year part time job as city attorney for the $7,200.00 per year job as city judge. We'll see.

Of course I could be all wrong. It may have been the $20 bucks of hotdog buns he donated that won him the election!