LYNCHBURG — For the first time in Moore County elections history, according to Moore County Elections Administrator Jim Sanders, voters could see a Republican primary for county offices next May. The decision didn’t come from a local party committee. Instead, the Tennessee Republican Party’s state leadership is invoking a state law to call the election after determining there is no active county GOP organization. According to local officials, the local party disbanded several years ago.
{Updated on August 12: According to Moore County Elections Administrator Jim Sanders, he and other local officials have spoken with the Metro Attorney and they collectively believe that based on the Metro Charter, specifically Ordinance 13.05, that the mayoral race as well as race for Metro Council seats will not need to be included in the May 2026 primary election. He tells us that he’d prefer that the Moore County School Board seats also be excluded, but that the Metro Attorney is still investigating. This is an ongoing story that will be updated as more information become available.}
Despite the fact the Moore County has voted Republican consistently since 2000, the move seems to seek to guarantee a Republican presence on the next county ballot, since those not on the primary ballot will be listed as independents by default. It could also give the state party more control over which local candidates get the GOP nomination – especially if there is a contested race.
“We’re praying that calmer heads prevail at the state level and this is rescinded,” local election officials tell us.
Gives the state party local control
In an August 7 letter to Moore County Administrator of Elections Jim Sanders obtained by The Times, the Tennessee Republican Party cited Tennessee Code Annotated § 2-13-203, which allows the state party’s executive committee to carry out the duties of a county committee when no active local party exists. That includes deciding whether to hold a partisan primary.
“I will act on behalf of Republicans in Moore County and call for a primary,” the letter signed by State Republican Chairman Scott Golden states. It directs the Moore County Election Commission to hold a May 5, 2026, Republican primary covering all regularly scheduled county offices set for the August 6 general election, as well as any county vacancies that arise before qualifying deadlines.
Under normal procedure, county political party executive committees choose whether to hold a primary and must notify their local election commission in writing by August 25 of the year before the election. The Moore County Election Office recently sent out its own reminder letter to party leaders outlining that deadline and explaining that offices must be specifically listed to appear on the ballot.
By stepping in nearly three weeks before the deadline, the state GOP effectively locked in a Republican primary for 2026 without local action. The move means Republican candidates will qualify for the May primary rather than running as independents in August.
Democrats in Moore County still have until August 25 to notify the election commission if they plan to hold a county primary in 2026.
Key Dates for the 2026 Election Cycle:
- Aug. 25, 2025 – Deadline for parties to notify election commission of a primary.
- Nov. 21, 2025 – Deadline to cancel a scheduled primary.
- Feb. 19, 2026 (Noon) – Qualifying deadline for candidates in May primary.
- May 5, 2026 – County primaries.
- Aug. 6, 2026 – County general election.
Partisan primaries for county offices in Tennessee are optional and at the discretion of local party organizations. When no local party leadership is in place, state party officials may act on their behalf, including calling a primary, under state law.
What’s at stake in the state GOP’s move?
The Tennessee Republican Party’s decision to call a Moore County primary from the state level – rather than leaving the choice to a local committee – could shape the 2026 election in several ways:
First, without a primary, Republican candidates for county offices would run as independents, removing the “Republican” designation from the general election ballot. Additionally, a primary determines which candidate gets the GOP nomination. State involvement could influence which Republicans appear on the August ballot. Finally, the state directive includes all county offices and any vacancies, potentially creating more contested races under the party banner.
If you have questions, contact the Metro Moore County Elections office at 931-759-4532. •
About The Lynchburg Times
The Lynchburg Times is an independent, woman-owned newspaper rooted in the heart of southern middle Tennessee. Led by a Tulane-educated journalist with over two decades of experience covering this region, we shine a light on the people, politics, and cultural pulse of a changing South. From breaking news to slow storytelling, we believe local journalism should inform, empower, and preserve what makes this place unique. Supported by readers and community partners, we’re proud to be part of the new Southern narrative – one story at a time. [Support us here.]