The 18th District of the Tennessee Senate comprises Robertson and Sumner Counties, both of which border Kentucky and both of which, of more political importance, help to form the “collar” of counties surrounding the state capital. The district has been represented by Sen. Diane Black of Gallatin, but as she won the November 2010 election to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, a special election will be held.

A lone Democrat on March 8 will face one of six Republicans who qualified for the January 20 primary election. They are:

• Bryan Bondurant, a veterinarian and deacon at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville
• Fred Congdon, Executive Director of the Association of County Mayors of Tennessee; a former county clerk and county executive
• Joe Warren Jones, a CPA
• Kerry Roberts, a CPA who ran against Black in the TN-06 primary last year. Here’s his Facebook page.
• William Slater, headmaster of Hendersonville Christian Academy. Here’s his Facebook page.
• Jeff Stromatt, a small business owner

Slater seems to be the frontrunner, and has received some brand-name endorsements (Sen. Brian Kelsey, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, and Black’s husband), but it is likely that Congdon has a number of favors to call in as well. Roberts may have some political organization left from his congressional bid.

Voters will choose between the Republican primary winner and Democrat Ken Wilber, who is currently mayor of Portland, Tenn.

Early voting in the primary begins tomorrow (Tuesday, 4 January 2010) and continues through the 15th. A GOP candidate forum moderated by House Republican Caucus Chair Debra Maggart will be held at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Hendersonville on Saturday, 8 January at 9:00 a.m.