The two candidates for Third Judicial District Circuit Judge addressed the Greene County Republican Women during their monthly meeting Friday at the General Morgan Inn.
Crystal Jessee of Greeneville and Mark Stapleton of Morristown are on the ballot in August for the seat which was originally vacated when Circuit Court Judge Phillips was promoted by the Governor. Retired Judge Tom Wright filled that position for a short time until Stapleton was appointed by Governor Lee to fill the unexpired term of Phillips until the election.
During a nine minute talk, Jessee spoke of the importance of having someone from Greene County in that position, something that has not happened in some time. She also told attendees she is asking for their vote because “experience matters”, citing her involvement in the opioid litigation, which she later said meant millions of dollars to this 16 county area. Jessee is also a part of the insulin litigation. She also said her campaign promises include, never forgetting where she came from and treating everyone with courtesy, dignity and respect. She also promises to move cases in an expedited manner, citing a heavy docket backlog.
Stapleton, the Hawkins County native, spent about nineteen minutes discussing his career which took him through law school with later stops in Chicago and New Orleans, enough to convince him he needed to return to Tennessee. He worked as an insurance defense attorney in Johnson City initially, later met his wife and they have lived have lived in Morristown for the past 35 plus years. Stapleton spoke of his time spent around Judge Kendall Lawson, who passed away last year. It was that event he said that changed his entire perspective on his career. When he was sworn in as judge, he wore the rope worn by Lawson in his honor.
Jessee and Stapleton addressed the gathering of over seventy individually, then stood side by side for a short question and answer session with those in attendance.
NEXT REPUBLICAN WOMENS MEETING
The June meeting of the Republican Women will be held on Friday, June 26th at the General Morgan Inn with lunch at 11:30 and the meeting at Noon. State Representative David Hawk will be the guest speaker.
REPUBLICAN PARTY MEETING
The June meeting of the Greene County Republican Party will be tonight (Monday, June 1) at 6:00 pm at the Party Headquarters across from Food City on Snapps Ferry Road. State Representative David Hawk will give a legislative update.
AMERICA FIRST FEDERATED REPUBLICAN WOMEN
The next meeting of the America First Federated Women will be Monday, June 8th at the VFW Post 1990 in Greeneville at 5:30 PM. The meal begins at 5:00 pm. The guest speaker will be Judge Mark Stapleton. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Corey at 423-502-1702 or Dianne Garland at 423-329-5374. All Republicans, both men and women are invited.
GREENE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETING
State Representative Gloria Johnson will be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Greene County Democratic Party Thursday night at 7 at Walters State Community College in Greeneville. As June is Health Initiative Month, Johnson is expected to bring a legislative update on the bills coming through Nashville and how they affect the overall health of Tennesseans.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY WALK
The Greene County Democratic Party is also having a 1-mile walk at Tusculum City Park at 6:00 pm on Friday, June 19 as part of the Health Initiative Month recognition.
SOCIAL HOUR
A social hour will follow the walk at the Old Oak Taproom with County Commission Third District candidate Donald Townsend and House of Representative candidate Catherine Bacon in attendance to discuss their campaigns.
