By Justin Howard

For The Middlesboro News

 

Every election season, the buzz around the presidential race is palpable. It’s the hot topic on everyone’s lips, and understandably so. But amidst the drama and spectacle of national politics, we often overlook the crucial importance of local elections.

In Bell County, a hot topic is the race for the Commonwealth’s Attorney position. Incumbent Lisa Fugate will face off with Michael Taylor for the Republican primary nomination on May 21 Fugate defeated Taylor by 656 votes in 2022.

A debate among the candidates is tentatively scheduled for either May 7 or 9.

Joining the primary victor on the ballot in November for the general election is Jessie Moberg, a former assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, who has earned the endorsement of Karen Greene Blondell, the long-time Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Peggy Huff, a senior citizen that voted for the first time in her life, states, “This is where the real impact on our daily lives happens. This is where justice is shaped, where laws are enforced, and where our community’s values are upheld. Vote, it’s a right I regretfully didn’t exercise until I was old. I’m fired up now! “There’s a lot of power in your vote. Women like mother weren’t permitted to vote because of their gender. Women, men, 18-year-olds when you cast your ballot, you’re making a statement about the kind of leadership you want for your community,”  emotionally expressed Huff.

Hundreds of thousands of men and women have fought and died for the privilege to choose our leaders. A minority of the country votes. About two-thirds (66%) of the voting-eligible population turned out for the 2020 presidential election – the highest rate for any national election since 1900.

Miss Huff ended our conversation with, “This election season, let’s not just talk about change; let’s be the change. Let’s show up, let’s vote, and let’s shape the future of our community and our country together. It’s time that we elect women and men who truly want to be a public servant and do right by the community.”