Congratulations to all the winners in this week’s elections. The free election process is the underpinning of our democracy. Those who participate by running for office deserve our thanks. Those who participate by voting help ensure that our system of freely chosen representatives will endure. Those who don’t participate by voting fail in their civic duty and enjoy democracy by freeloading on the backs of those who run for office, serve and vote.
We were disappointed in the relatively small turnout in Madison County despite there being many high-profile positions to be elected. With more than 60,000 registered voters, a turnout of just over 19,000 is dismal, especially since there are three weeks of early voting in which voters can cast ballots at their leisure.
We thank those who ran for office and did not win. We thank them for their hard work, and, make no mistake, running for office is hard work and requires sacrifice. Democratic elections without opposition leave a void in the spirit of democracy. This election, we had more contested races than we can remember in past elections.
We now look forward to the November general election. We will choose a new governor to lead Tennessee, and we have two outstanding candidates to choose from in Bill Haslam and Mike McWherter. We look forward to having them in Jackson for public forums and candidate interviews. Their task is to clearly demonstrate to voters why each would be the best choice to lead Tennessee.
We anticipate spirited campaigns from the candidates in the 8th District U.S. House race, Stephen Fincher and Roy Herron. The Republican primary that Fincher won was disappointing in its harsh and sometimes ugly negativity that sharply divided the candidates and their supporters. We urge Fincher and Herron to steer clear of such negativity and to speak to voters about issues. We love a good debate and look forward to Fincher-Herron forums. But we ask the candidates to attack the issues, not each other, in convincing voters whom to vote for.
The state Senate District 27 race is set to be a rematch between former Sen. Don McLeary and Sen. Lowe Finney. This was an outstanding race four years ago. The candidates largely steered clear of negative campaigning. We also look forward to their participating in public forums in Madison, Gibson and Carroll counties.
Americans are concerned about the future of our country, and in Tennessee, the future of our state and our local communities. It will be the elected leaders we choose who will chart our future. There is nothing more important to democracy than everyone’s full participation in the political process.
http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20100808/OPINION01/8080303