By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Three formal challenges to the candidacy of Catherine Herrera for Henry County Mayor have been filed and the Henry County Elections Commission must now set a special meeting to determine whether she is qualified to run for the office.
There was a standing room only crowd at Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Elections Commission board.
The formal challenges question whether or not Herrera is a resident of Henry County and were filed by Carlton Gerrell, Marty Visser and Ralph Wiles. Both Visser and Wiles are County Commissioners. All three spoke at Monday’s meeting.
Herrera filed an affidavit earlier which maintains that she is a resident. When she announced her candidacy March 19, Herrera issued a press release which stated that Herrera is the Child Welfare Consultant for the state with the University of Tennessee’s Social Work Office of Research and Public Service and that “While her professional work has included service across multiple counties and regions of Tennessee, Henry County has remained her permanent home.”
Henry County Elections Administrator DeLaina Green said the Elections Commission is required to call a special called meeting, at which a court stenographer must be present. She has submitted four possible dates for the special meeting to the State Division of Elections: April 16, 17, 23 or 30. The state will approve a date and get back to Green and she will notify the media and public of the date.
Herrera is one of three candidates for County Mayor and is running as an Independent. Jonathan Lodge is running as an Independent and David Webb is running as a Republican.
In other business:
–It was reported that James Higgins has withdrawn his candidacy for the office of County Commissioner, District 4.
–The State has disqualified James Benau as a candidate for Democratic State Executive Committee.