Four vie for county mayor special election

The Times Free Press has the latest on the slate of candidates running in next year’s special election for Hamilton County Mayor. The election is being held to choose a mayor who will serve in the remainder of the 2010-14 term.

As it stands right now, two Republicans (interim Mayor Jim Coppinger and Basil Marceaux Sr.) will face each other in the March primary, and then a three-way race pitting that primary winner against independent Richard Ford and Democrat Rick Wilson will take place in August. If any other Democrats or Republicans qualify for the election, they will join the others in the primary. Any additional independents will simply carry forward to the August general election.

Additional county elections in 2012 will be held for the County Commission, 3rd District seat (special election); the Board of Education in Districts 1, 2, 4, and 7; and isn’t it time for the oddly timed Assessor of Property non-event?

Planes, buses, and SUVs

The three leading Republican candidates for Tennessee governor today are making a number of campaign stops in the final push to reach voters before Thursday’s primary election.

But the mode of transportation chosen by each will determine just how much of the state can be covered. Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam’s itinerary suggests that air travel will be necessary. U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp tweeted his disapproval of his rival’s flight plan, and said that he will stay in his “used RV.” Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey’s schedule includes cities and towns exclusively in East Tennessee, the home of his state Senate district.

No information has been received regarding Basil Marceaux’s travel plans or choice of transportation.