Lisa Peterson Appointed to DeKalb County Election Commission

A new member has been named to the DeKalb County Election Commission by the Tennessee Election Commission.
Mrs. Lisa Peterson, a resident of Smithville and former DeKalb County Administrator of Elections, is replacing Hearon Puckett as one of the two democratic members of the local commission. “I am honored and pleased to receive this appointment from the State Election Commission. I appreciate the opportunity to serve the voters of DeKalb County. It is my pledge to serve with honesty and integrity, and to carry out the duties of Commissioner to the best of my abilities,” said Peterson.
The former administrator lost her position (as administrator) in April, 2009 when the Republican controlled election commission took over and she later mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge over the decision.
The other Democrat on the DeKalb County Election Commission is Mrs. Jackie Smith. Smith was appointed in October, 2015 to fill a vacancy, and she has been re-appointed by the State Election Commission for her first full term. “I am really excited to be reappointed to the county election commission. It’s a duty that I take very seriously, and I am honored to serve in this capacity,” said Smith
The term for each member is for two years.
Since the state legislature is made up of a majority of GOP lawmakers, Republicans have the right to hold majority memberships on the Tennessee Election Commission as well as all county election commissions in Tennessee. The appointments to local commissions are made by the state election commission.
Jordan Wilkins, Chair of the DeKalb Democratic Party, stated: “ I want first to thank Mr. Hearon Puckett for his honorable years of service to our party. And, I’m thrilled to have Mrs. Peterson join the county election commission to represent the Democratic Party. Both Lisa and Jackie have been lifelong members of this party. They are progressive, strong, and talented women, and I am confident they will perform these positions with integrity .”
The Republican members of the local election commission, reappointed by the Tennessee Election Commission, are Walteen Parker, Barbara Vanatta, and Jim Dean. Vanatta and Dean are beginning their fifth terms. Parker has served since 1992.