Spruce Pine fundraiser kicks off 2018 political season

By Bart Moss / For the FCT

Saturday night more than 70 people crammed into the Spruce Pine Community Center for the first political gathering of the 2018 election cycle in Franklin County.

A dose of home-cooking was on the menu: ham, turkey, green beans, creamed corn, mashed potatoes and more. Although attendees agreed the food was wonderful, the vast majority had come to hear see which candidates would show up and what they would have to say.

“We had wonderful time,” said Sue Bowen, a Spruce Pine resident and one of the organizers. “We are proud so many turned out on such a stormy night. We got to hear some good talk by the politicians, and we are glad they thought enough of our community to come tonight.”

Although there were “fireworks” in the sky outside – a pop of lightning briefly knocked the power out at the end of the meeting – there were few fireworks inside. Candidates in attendance stood in front of the gathering and gave brief biographies of themselves and a few items from their platforms they will be running on.

Candidates in attendance were:

• Public Service Commissioner Jim Bonner (R)
• State Senate District 6 Steve Lolley (R), Johnny Mack Morrow (D), Dr. Larry Stutts (R)
• State House District 18: Eddie Britton (D), Jamie Kiel (R), Tony Riley (R)
• State House District 7: Ken Brackens (D), Proncy Robertson (R)
• Probate Judge: Joe Mansell (R), Barry Moore (R)
• Board of Education: Ralton Baker (D)

Both party primaries will be held June 5.  The general election will be Nov. 6.