John Coffelt, Editor

Interim Coffee County Mayor Dennis Hunt secured nomination as the Republican candidate at a caucus held May 23 at Coffee County Central High School by the county Republican party. 

Hunt was the only candidate put forth during the caucus, yet he will likely face an independent challenger, David Nipper in the upcoming August election.   

Nipper on Thursday confirmed to the Times his intent to run, saying he will turn in his qualification papers on Tuesday after Memorial Day. 

Nipper, who was appointed by the late County Mayor Judd Matheny as Chairman of the Wayside Acres Authority, has described himself as a conservative independent. 

“I am the only true independent running,” Nipper said, “I have never voted since I’ve turned 18, so that makes me the only true independent candidate.

As yet, no other candidates have announced their intent to run, and the Coffee County Democratic Party canceled its caucus due to the lack of potential candidates.

Coffee County Commissioner Dennis Hunt had served as Commission Pro Tempore until Matheny’s death on April 2 when he took on the role as Interim Mayor. 

A long-time  businessman in Coffee County and active commissioner, Hunt has served as Chairman of the Capital Outlay Committee, Secretary of the Planning Commission and a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals. 

The May 23 caucus was held to put forth a party candidate for the August 1 election to fill the vacancy for the office after Matheny’s death. For Independent candidates, the deadline to qualify will be noon on Friday, June 7.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.