'It’s an honor to be elected': Stevens claims win as newest TN lawmaker

Republican Robert Stevens declared victory Tuesday against Democrat Jeff Crum to be Rutherford County's newest state lawmaker.

"It’s an honor to be elected," Stevens said. "I was very excited with the outcome. This has been almost a year’s worth of hard work to get us to this point. And I had so many great people helping me from day one, and this was not possible without them."

Stevens had 8,666 votes in capturing 61.94% of the total count on election night. Stevens will represent the county's added District 13 seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Crum had 5,309 votes to represent 37.95% of total.

The Rutherford County Election Day votes are unofficial until the Rutherford County Election Commission certifies the results during a at 5 p.m. Nov. 21 meeting.

Stevens is an attorney from Smyrna who previously served 12 years as an elected member of the Rutherford County Commission until retiring from his final four-year term at the end of August. He won the Republican nomination for his lawmaker seat Aug. 4 against Gabriel Fancher.

"I’m looking forward to working with our delegation members in Nashville and also building new relationships with lawmakers around the state to make a difference in Rutherford County," Stevens said.

The District 13 winner joins the county's all-Republican, seven-member delegation serving in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Stevens said he wants to start looking at ways to reduce taxes and help curb inflation.

"The state has had a significant (budget) surplus the past few years, and I want to see if there are ways to return some of that back to the taxpayers," Stevens said.

The new lawmaker said the state will assign him a temporary office and phone soon, and he wants any constituents to feel free to reach out if he can be of assistance.

Results showing the other Republican state lawmakers were able to hold their seats with all voting centers reporting:

Tim Rudd won 9,136 votes to capture 60.98% of the election night count in the District 34 race against Democrat Laura Bohling. She had 5,826 votes, which was 38.88%.

Charlie Baum won 9,452 votes for 65.36% of the count in the District 37 race against Democrat Bill Levine with 4,991 votes, 34.51%.

Byran Terry won 11,560 votes for 67.04% of the count in District 48 race against Democrat Matt Ferry with 5,667 votes, 32.87%.

Mike Sparks, has a lead with 7,739 votes for 59.42% of the count in District 49 race with Democrat Morgan Woodberry with 5,271 votes, 40.47%.

All the House seats are for two-year terms.

In addition to Tennessee House races, Republican state Sen. Dawn White of Murfreesboro also won reelection in for District 13. White received 31,920 votes for 64.63% of the count against Democrat Kelly Northcutt with 17,423 votes, 35.27.

The county also has representation from state Sen. Shane Reeves, R-Murfreesboro. His District 14 seat is up for election in 2024.

La Vergne races

Mayor keeps seat

Mayor Jason Cole won re-election with 3,419 votes to represent 64.56% of the election night total.

"I’m just overwhelmed," Cole said. "I just want to cry tears of happiness and thank God."

Cole topped runner up mayor candidate John Mack Rutledge, who had 1,473 votes to represent 27.81% of the count. Matthew B. Mednick was third with 384 votes, which was 7.25%.

Cole is the first La Vergne mayor since 2002 to win reelection to a four-year term.

"I think this victory is resounding," Cole said. "The residents of La Vergne want to keep La Vergne moving in a positive direction for everyone."

Cole mentioned residents being pleased with the city committing funds to infrastructure, including to widen South Waldron Road from Interstate 24 to the Smyrna boundary, the expansion of the police headquarters and start of a new fire station.

Residents are also excited with city efforts to bring in retail, including BJs Wholesale, Sherman Williams and Popshelf, the mayor added.

Cole will continue to serve as chairman on a five-member board with two seats that were up for election. The top two earning citywide votes to be aldermen win four-year terms.

The uncertified election night results appear to show incumbent Alderman Graeme Coates trailing by one vote to win a four-year term.

• Carol V. Haas: 1,989, 24.87% of vote

• Kara Hobbs: 1,854, 23.19% of vote

• Graeme Coates, incumbent: 1,853, 23.19% of vote

• Kathy Tyson: 1,668, 20.86% of vote

• Charlie Jones: 610, 7.63% of vote

Smyrna races

Smyrna Mayor Esther Reed won without competition. The Smyrna Town Council she leads will retain three incumbents who won reelection: Marc Adkins, the vice mayor; H.G. Cole Jr. and Gerry Short.

Mayor

• Mayor Mary Esther Reed, incumbent: 8,088, 98.05% of vote

• Write-in votes: 161, 1.95% of vote

Smyrna Council

• Marc Adkins, incumbent vice mayor: 4,853, 25.42% of vote

• H.G. Cole Jr., incumbent: 4,460, 23.36% of vote

• Gerry Short, incumbent: 3,839, 20.11% of vote

• Celest Davis: 2,969, 15.55% of vote

• Marquinta "Mutt" Richardson: 2,872, 15.04% of vote

Eagleville races

Mayor

• Chad Leeman, incumbent: 235, 99.16% of vote

• Write in votes: 2, 0.84% of vote

Council: 2-year term for one seat

• Jason Blair, incumbent: 209

Council: 4-year term for three seats

• Bill Tollett, incumbent: 166, 26.6% of vote

• Craig Campbell: 161, 25.8% of vote

• Brandon Emamalie, incumbent: 156, 25% of vote

• Heath Garner, incumbent: 137, 21.96% of vote

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription for all dnj.com stories.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Stevens wins as newest lawmaker for state House District 13 seat