District Attorney Nash wins Republican primary by 131 votes in Montgomery, Robertson Counties
District Attorney Robert Nash has secured the Republican nod in Robertson and Montgomery County's Primary Election Tuesday.
Nash raked in 5,571 votes to secure the win over candidates Steve Powers and Neil Stauffer.
Stauffer finished 131 votes behind Nash, winning the Robertson County race, but it wasn't enough to overtake Nash's Montgomery County total. He secured 5,440 total votes.
“I feel great," Nash said, commenting on how the election process, traveling and emotions can wear candidates down. He commended Stauffer on a great race.
"He and his family were very gracious to my family. (He) has a bright future in politics and the legal profession," he said.
After more than 15 years of serving the community, Nash said he's looking forward to making residents feel as safe as possible.
"Of course, I've built a career on holding accountable those who commit violent crime in this community, but I look forward to trying to get help for those who are addicted," Nash said, adding that it's his hope to get recovering addicts out of the criminal justice system and see them be productive citizens.
"I just look forward to leading this office in the future," he said.
Nash thanked his family, friends and supporters, including Gov. Bill Lee for appointing him to the position and Congressman Mark Green for his years-long support.
Nash currently serves as the district attorney for Montgomery and Robertson Counties.
He was sworn into office in November 2021 after the retirement of former District Attorney General John W. Carney, Jr. several months earlier.
Clarksville has been Nash's home for more than 40 years. He graduated from Northeast High School, Austin Peay State University and the Nashville School of Law. Nash is also a 2014 graduate of Leadership Clarksville.
Carney recruited Nash in 2007. While working as an assistant district attorney, Nash primarily handled violent cases involving crimes like kidnapping, robbery and murder.
As the Republican primary winner, Nash will run unopposed in the August 4 General Election. No democratic or independent candidates are seeking the office.
The district attorney general serves an eight-year term.
How to vote in August
Voters interested in voting in the August General Election have until July 5 to register.
Unregistered voters may register in person at the Election Commission office and state agencies including the Department of Safety, Department of Human Services, Health Department, WIC office, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.
Voter registrations submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than 30 days before an election and can be filled out via an online printable form through the Tennessee State website, sos-tn-gov-files.tnsosfiles.com/forms/ss-3010.pdf.
Online voter registration is also available to anyone with a Driver’s License or ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security at ovr.govote.tn.gov.
Until a resident receives a voter card, he or she is not registered to vote.
Registered voters in Montgomery County totaled 128,132 as of May 31, 2021, up by nearly 10,000 from May 31, 2020.
For more information on voting in Montgomery County, visit mcgtn.org/election.
Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com or (615) 517-1285.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: District Attorney Nash wins Republican primary by 131 votes in Montgomery, Robertson Counties
