The Loudon County Chamber of Commerce played host to a number of candidates seeking first-time election or reelection on March 24 — with Commission, school board and other various elected appointments represented in the mix during a fast-paced forum that gave those running for office the opportunity to give their “elevator pitch” to voters and community leaders alike.

The forum, moderated by Chamber President Rodney Grugin, gave each candidate two minutes to deliver their basic bullet notes that define their campaign and outline their goals (or achievements) for local government.

Candidates went in numerical order by district, with a swath of Republicans and a few Democrats iterating their main talking points for an attentive crowd.


When it came to the Republican primary candidates, incumbents and those seeking first-time election split themselves into two pretty well-defined camps, as displayed by the contrast by district when each got up to speak.

Where current commissioners continued to cite stricter budgets and zoning policies as a continuation of keeping Loudon County in the green both financially and in terms of its land … their Republican opponents seemed skeptical.

Many cited the recent property tax increase in the summer of 2024, a perceived lack of long-term land-use plans and an overall blasé attitude toward constituents as reasons to turn the tide.

Geoffrey Mark, a candidate for the Commission’s third district who comes with a plethora of out-of-state experience, spoke to his desire to see more stringent spending during his two minutes.

“I’m running because I’ve seen exactly where tax increases and big spending projects lead, and I don’t want that here,” Mark said. “I don’t think anybody in this room wants that here.

“That’s why I’ll bring a no-nonsense approach to the County Commission: Focused spending, lower taxes, slow, careful and planned growth.”

Incumbents countered with citations of previous due diligence in the realm of tight zoning policies, of which they say no one in the region comes close to in terms of rigidity, alongside a continually cited eight clean audits from the state Comptroller’s Office in the past nine years — another unique feat to Loudon County in particular.

‘NO HOOVES, NO HORN AND NO TAIL’

When current fifth district Commissioner Van Shaver gave his remarks, he spoke to a continuation of that process, and building a Loudon County that’s protected from being overrun with residential growth well after he’s left office.

Making light of the discourse surrounding his seat and his much-talked-about approach to the position, he did first point out that he comes to voters with “no hooves, no horn and no tail — despite what you may read on social media.”

“The incumbents aren’t going to tell you what we’re going to do, we’re going to tell you what we’ve done,” said Shaver, addressing the crowd. “We’ve already established the best zoning policies in the state of Tennessee, bar none.

“Developers don’t like it, as you can imagine, but to me, nothing is more important than trying to preserve Loudon County.”

CHANGE OF PACE?

Aside from some of the more hotly contested seats, District 2 candidates offered a change of pace and deviation from the typical discourse, with their location in Lenoir City and their soon to be vacant “A” seat showcasing an expected new member of the current Commission.

With current commissioner William Jenkins not seeking re-election, this will be the only seat that is guaranteed to have a fresh face in it this time next year.

Jason Tuttle, who’s running as a Republican in the seat, cited his work in both city and county business as an easy bridge between the sometimes strained entities of Lenoir City and Loudon County, offering in-house solutions rather than having to resort to lawsuits to help define where the lines between the two should be drawn, stating that he “knows the people on both sides of the table.”

Rosemary Quillen, the incumbent for seat “B” in the second district, spoke to her Realty experience and the necessity of providing affordable living in the wake of unprecedented developmental regulation.

“I have to be honest about something, we are at a turning point,” Quillen said. “If we’re not careful, rising costs and overregulation will push families out and make it harder for our children and grandchildren to stay here, and that’s not the future I want.

“I want Loudon County to remain a place where families can grow, where young people can build a life and where the next generation has the same opportunities we did.”

MONETARY ISSUES & CIVILITY

While monetary issues took up a lot of talking points, with some candidates even suggesting tax freezes for seniors, another issue hit by new candidates was a return to real decorum, something many candidates have cited is lost in this current edition of the body.

Newcomers to the election have told voters that a number of their questions and concerns were met with a perceived complacency … something they wish to fix heading into 2026. Rachel Chatfield, running for the fifth district “B” seat as a Republican, has made it a key point of her campaign to “act like professionals,” as she put it in her address to the crowd.

“Leadership matters,” Chatfield continued. “leadership means listening, learning and being willing to adjust when the people you represent speak clearly. … I will lead with honesty and respect, and I believe that county government works best with teamwork, not division.”

Below is the complete list of candidates who spoke at the March 24 forum:

Loudon County Mayor

Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw

Maureen “Moe” Colvin

Loudon County Commission

District 1

Brock Bigsby (A)

Blake Moore (A)

Bob Gross (B)

Nikki Calvano (B)

District 2

Jason Tuttle (A)

Brad McCall (A)

Rosemary Quillen (B)

District 3

Bill Satterfield

Geoffrey Mark

Wendy Tittsworth

District 5

Pat Hunter (A)

Joe Morrison (A)

Rachel Chatfield (B)

Van Shaver (B)

Andrew F. Bennett III (B)

District 6

Chasey Hachmann

District 7

Henry Cullen

Rick Dramm

Loudon County Sheriff

Jimmy Davis

Loudon County Board of Education

District 6

Voan Stone

Early voting for Loudon County’s primary election is slated for April 15 through the 30, with election day being held on May 5.