A couple of county GOP events featuring candidates in the special election for the seventh congressional district highlighted the weekend. While straw polls are not a particularly great indicator of election results that may be produced on October 7, they do give an indication of early campaign organizing  skills that could translate into votes in this quick sprint to primary election day. Meanwhile, the field of candidates continues to grow with others expected to join soon.

Saturday night the Humphreys County Republican Party hosted an event at the Humphreys County Fairgrounds that included a debate among announced and unannounced candidates. It was presumed that conservative Rep. Jody Barrett, who represents all or part of three counties near Humphreys County, would do well in the crowded field.

The party held a straw poll after the candidates spoke and answered questions.   

Matt Van Epps, who has been endorsed by former Congressman Mark Green, was first with 43 votes; 2nd was Rep. Gino Bulso with 28 votes (although he has not yet officially announced), and Stewart Parks came in third, receiving 24 votes.

Remaining candidates received the following votes:                                                               

Jody Barrett – 13 votes

Undecided – 8 votes

John Wilt (write-in) – 6 votes

Jason Knight – 4 votes

Joe Loers – 1 vote

John Thorp – 0 votes

Lee Reeves – 1 vote (Note: Reeves was not present in Humphries County and obviously did not participate in the debate.)

Tres Wittum was also not in attendance and received zero votes.

Another political event was held Friday Night in Montgomery County. They did not conduct a straw poll, but in further evidence that Williamson County Rep. Gino Bulso is entering the race soon, he was in attendance.

Steve Gill is Publisher of TriStar Daily.