Candidates meet and greet

  • While Janet Stiles of Andrews is used to being in front of the camera, not everyone at the meet and greet was anxious to have their photo taken.
    While Janet Stiles of Andrews is used to being in front of the camera, not everyone at the meet and greet was anxious to have their photo taken.
  • Cherokee County Commissioner Cal Stiles is running for re-election in District 1.
    Cherokee County Commissioner Cal Stiles is running for re-election in District 1.
  • A good crowd was on hand to meet the candidates and ask questions on Jan. 8.
    A good crowd was on hand to meet the candidates and ask questions on Jan. 8.
  • State Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin, middle) is a familiar sight in Cherokee County.
    State Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin, middle) is a familiar sight in Cherokee County.

    Hiwassee Dam – With standing room only in a packed building, local residents were very interested in hearing
    candidates discuss their platforms on Jan. 8 at the Hiwassee Dam Community Center.

    Although this was not a Republican Party event, all of the candidates who participated were from the GOP. The emcee was Cherokee County Commissioner Jan Griggs.

    District 14 congressional candidates Chuck Edwards, Col. Rod Honeycutt and Ken McKim were on hand, along with state Sen. Kevin Corbin and state Rep. Karl Gillespie (both R-Franklin).

    Also present were Dustin Smith, Joe Wood and Heath Woodard, who are all running for Cherokee County sheriff.

    For county commission races, District 1 incumbent Cal Stiles and challenger Steve Jordan were present. In District 3, candidates Ben Adams, Mark Kephart and John Worden were all on hand.

    Representing District 4 was incumbent Dan Eichenbaum. Griggs gave a brief statement on behalf of challenger John Midkiff, who was unable to be present, and then gave him her full endorsement. 

    School board candidates present were for District 3, Jose Barreiro, Leslie Gibson and Jason Murphy; District 2, Allen Denny; and for the at-large seat was incumbent Keesha Curtis.

    Register of deeds candidate Karen Wright was also there for the meet and greet.