Adams now off ballot: City board candidate is substitute teacher

Another candidate has been removed from the November ballot. Timothy Adams was seeking the Ward 5 alderman seat currently held by Donna Johnson.

Adams submitted his election petition with enough signatures to qualify. But Adams, an employee of Humboldt City Schools, is considered a city employee.

Recently, Jerry Young had a similar ruling. Being an employee of Humboldt Utilities, he is considered a city employee.

Gibson County Administrator of Elections Julieanne Hart said both Adams’ and Young’s names will not appear on the November 7 ballot.

According to Tennessee law, city employees may not seek public office within the city they reside.

Two legal opinions from the Humboldt city attorney and MTAS (Municipal Technical Advisory Service) attorneys concluded Young was indeed a city employee working for Humboldt Utilities. Therefore, Adams who is a substitute teacher falls under the same ruling.

This resulted in the Gibson County Election Commission ruling both candidates were ineligible.