Local Elections - Who Owns Our Candidates?

By David Thomas, Shelbyville NOW

Election season is here in Bedford County!   Early voting for the primary begins April 15 and voters need to understand exactly what a Political Action Committee, or PAC, is and why it matters right now.

A PAC is not just a neutral group supporting candidates out of goodwill. It is an organization that raises and spends money with a purpose, and that purpose is to influence elections and the decisions that follow. The money behind a PAC comes from individuals or groups who have a stake in what happens next, and they do not put that money into a race without expecting a return on it.

When PAC money shows up in a local election, it is not there by accident and it is not there without intent. Local offices in Bedford County control zoning, development, infrastructure, and the long-term direction of this community. Those decisions carry real financial impact, which is exactly why money is being directed into these races. That money is not about helping a candidate succeed for the sake of public service. It is about positioning influence where it can shape outcomes.
 

Voters need to stop looking at campaign funding as background noise and start treating it as one of the most important issues in the race. When a candidate accepts money from a PAC, it creates a direct connection between that candidate and the people funding that PAC. That connection does not disappear after Election Day. It follows into office, into meetings, and into decisions that affect this county.
 

This is where the question becomes unavoidable and needs to be asked without hesitation. Do we want our representatives owned by a small group of people who have the money to influence elections? This a serious question that the average voter is facing.
  

Every voter should be asking every candidate the same direct question. Are you taking money from a Political Action Committee? If the answer is yes, then the next question is just as important. Who is funding it, and what do they expect in return? If a candidate cannot answer that clearly, then voters should take that as an answer in itself.
 

This is not a small issue and it is not something to overlook. Once the election is over, the decisions made by those in office will shape Bedford County for years, and those decisions will reflect who has influence. Voters still have control right now, but only if they are willing to ask the hard questions and pay attention to where the money is coming from.
 

The ballot still belongs to the people of Bedford County, but if voters ignore the influence behind these races, they should not be surprised when the results reflect something else entirely.
 

Do your homework -  then cast your VOTE.

Bell Buckle Municipal

Mayor

Ronnie W. Lokey 


Alderman  

Zachary Akers       
James Anderson   

County Mayor- Current

Chad Graham    

 

Trustee-  Current

Tonya Davis 



Sheriff- Current

Austin Swing         


Register of Deeds- Current

Johnny Reed                   

Circuit Court Clerk- Current

Michelle Murray  


County Clerk -  Current

Donna Thomas 


County School Board- Current

District #1-  David Brown
District #2 -  Brian Crews  
District #3 -  Dan Reed 
District #4 -  Lana Craig
District #5 -  Michael Cook
District #6 -  Andrea Anderson
District #7 -  Barton Williams
District #8 -  Shanna Boyette
District #9 -  Glen Forsee