Election filing ends Friday to seek office

    Murphy – With the filing deadline for the 2020 election ending at noon Friday, only one local race has competition, and no Democrats have filed.
    Both Steve Coleman and Jan Griggs have filed for the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners District 5 seat. Coleman filed as soon as it opened on Dec. 2, while Griggs filed on Dec. 11.
    Before Griggs made her decision to run, the former county veterans services officer requested a special meeting with leaders from local veterans organizations at the Cherokee County Courthouse downtown on Dec. 10. Griggs asked those in the room if she would have their support if she ran for a seat on the county commission.
    “I really believe that we can make a difference in the county if we have a veteran on the commission,” Griggs said.
    She said she had been asked by people to run for office, but thought she couldn’t do without the support of veterans. Leaders among local veterans groups usually meet once a month at the courthouse as Veteran Forces, when any veteran who wishes to speak to the group may do so.
    Officials from the organizations represented informed Griggs that since the organizations are nonpartisan, they could not show support. However, several representatives said
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that as individuals, they could and would support her.
    John Giddens, one of the
county’s veterans services officers, said there are 2,697 veterans receiving benefits in Cherokee County, plus 600 widows.
    For the District 2 seat on the commission, CB McKinnon is seeking re-election. No one has filed to run against him.
    The Cherokee County Board of Education has three seats available in the election. Arnold Matthews filed for re-election to the District 2 seat on Dec. 5.
    James Ellis has also filed to run for one of two Cherokee County Board of Education District 1 seats on Dec. 10. Jeff Tatham, one of the incumbents for those seats, filed on Dec. 2.
    County commission District 2 includes Marble and Peachtree, while District 5 includes Grape Creek, Hanging Dog, Hiwassee Dam and Unaka. School board District 1 includes Andrews, Marble and Topton, while District 2 includes Bellview, Brasstown, Grape Creek, Hanging Dog, Murphy, Peachtree and part of Unaka.
    Primaries will be held Tuesday, March 3.