By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew announced at the outset of Saturday morning’s Henry County Republican Caucus that he intends to run for the office of sheriff as a Republican, an announcement that was greeted with a nomination from the electors present—and much applause by those in attendance.
Belew was nominated by Bruce Griffey of Paris. For Belew, it signaled a major party switch since he has been on the ballot as a Democrat in previous elections.
Belew has been Sheriff since 2006 and is running for his fourth term in that office.
Belew thanked his Mom, Jackie Belew, and his wife, Cori, both of whom were in attendance, and his campaign treasurer Randy Geiger, and said, “I’ll be there every day for all the people.”
In a prepared statement, Belew said, “This change has nothing to do with the way I or the sheriff’s office will perform our duties. We will continue to do our very best for Henry Countians, regardless of their political affiliation. It has everything to do with my personal orientation as a citizen. My personal beliefs toward fiscal responsibility, Second Amendment rights, and law enforcement, just to name a few, more align with the Republican Party.”
Belew said, “I continue to solicit the support of the community on behalf of the sheriff’s office. Henry County is a great place to live, work and raise a family. I humbly ask for your continued support of me and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.”
Henry County GOP Vice Chairman Garry Phillips was nominated for Henry County Mayor. Phillips will presumably be running against current County Mayor Brent Greer, who took out petitions for the office yesterday.
Those in attendance also nominated three candidates for County Commission: District 3, Dennis Garcia and Jerry Berry; District 1, Clint Diggs.
There were no nominations for any other county office.
Phillips told the crowd, “This election is very important. It’s always very important when you elect a County Mayor. This is a great year for Republicans, especially at the county level.”
He said he wanted everyone to understand that he intends “to run full bore” for the office. “We have a good County Mayor now in Brent and I can call him my friend. But now is the time to shake things up in the county.”
Phillips said he has never sought public office before, but has been involved in government and politics “for too many years”. He said he has worked in federal government “for three different departments”, including a stint in Iraq with the Department of State.
He noted that the Henry County Republican Party made history when Ritchie Chillcutt was elected County Road Supervisor—“He was the first Republican to be elected to County Office in Henry County” and he noted Belew’s campaign as a Republican candidate—“I don’t know anyone who could defeat him.”
Today’s Caucus was the first of its kind in Henry County. Those in attendance numbered in the mid-70s, according to caucus officials.
State GOP Chairman Scott Golden told the crowd, “This is what democracy looks like. It’s exciting, it’s historic. It’s the first time it’s been done.”
Henry County Democratic Party Chair Daniel Powell told WENK/WTPR the Democratic caucus has not yet been set, but will probably be in the last part of March.
The general election is in August.
Photo: Phillips at the podium, with Henry County GOP Chair Chris Garcia and State GOP Chair Scott Golden seated. (Shannon McFarlin photo).
