More About Our August 2022 Election Forums

In Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, the League of Women Voters has been helping citizens engage in local, state of Tennessee, and national government since 1957.

The League encourages informed and active participation in government. We study and take positions on issues, but we never support or oppose any candidate, party or political appointee. We have a strong commitment to voter education, action and advocacy for public policy.

One way that we have traditionally served the community is through our candidate forums that are produced in cooperation with the technology and media departments of our local governments.

Forum Policy

In addition to watching our forums, learn about the local candidates on the ballot—personalized to your address—at VOTE411.org. Also click here for more August election information

As part of our commitment to voter service, the League attempts to schedule candidate forums for most contested races in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. In order to assure impartiality and comply with League of Women Voters guidelines for televised events, a majority of candidates must agree to participate in order for our local League to go forward with a forum. In cases where there are only two candidates, of course this means both candidates must agree.

Working out the logistics of candidate availability, League volunteer availability, and the availability of local government staff and resources realistically limits the dates and times we can consider. However, we were able to offer all candidates at least two dates/times, and in some cases more.

We regret it anytime that any candidate doesn’t participate, as we are strong, nonpartisan advocates for the voter education that these forums encourage.


We were able to hold the following forums for the August 2022 elections:

City of Murfreesboro Elections

  • Mayoral Forum at https://youtu.be/hJ14xUlFMXc

    • All three candidates participated:

      • Nathan Bennett

      • Tony Lehew

      • Shane McFarland

  • City Council Forum at https://youtu.be/SH-4Q1NCOck

    • All seven candidates agreed to participate. Samantha Sourinho could not participate due to illness. Those participating were:

      • Jami Averwater

      • Carolyn Cox

      • Madelyn Scales Harris

      • Austin Maxwell

      • Warren Russell

      • Ricky Turner

  • City School Board Forum at https://youtu.be/7NuOzoUOOHA

    • All four candidates participated:

      • Karen Dodd

      • Barbara Long

      • Amanda Moore

      • Florence Omachonu

Rutherford County Elections

  • Sheriff Forum at https://youtu.be/2K6Nki3I3XI?t=0

    • Both candidates participated:

      • Michael Fitzhugh

      • Pat Garrett

  • County Mayor Forum at https://youtu.be/2K6Nki3I3XI?t=1251

    • Initially, all four candidates agreed to participate in the June 28 forum. On June 20, candidate Norman Hanks emailed that he would not be able to attend. Those participating were:

      • Randy Allen

      • Joe Carr

      • Royce Johnson

  • County Commission District 3 Forum (combined with District 7) at https://youtu.be/RQ5KZsLRH4Q

    • Both candidates participated:

      • Anita Herron

      • Michael Wrather

  • County Commission District 7 Forum (combined with District 3) at https://youtu.be/RQ5KZsLRH4Q

    • All three candidates participated:

      • Michael Kusch

      • Joseph Locher

      • Roscoe Williams

  • County Commission District 8 Forum at https://youtu.be/I5rVmpXmJXc

    • Both candidates participated:

      • Matthew Burke

      • Pettus Read

We were unable to hold forums for the following contested Rutherford County races, due to a majority of candidates not agreeing to participate or not showing up as agreed:

  • Circuit Court Division I

    • Mike Jones—Agreed to participate

    • Mark Rogers—Declined to participate

  • Juvenile Court Judge

    • Andrae Crismon—Agreed to participate

    • Travis Lampley—Declined to participate

  • County School Board Zone 3

    • Jason Scales—Agreed to participate

    • Caleb Tidwell—Declined to participate

  • County School Board Zone 7

    • Cindy Daniel—Agreed to participate

    • Frances Rosales—Never responded

  • County Commission District 1

    • David Gammon—Declined to participate

    • Hope Oliver—Agreed to participate

  • County Commission District 4

    • Robert Peay—Agreed to participate

    • Michael Rodgers—Declined to participate

  • County Commission District 5

    • Carol Cook—Declined to participate

    • Laura Davidson—Never responded

  • County Commission District 6

    • Jonathan Beverly—Agreed to participate

    • Tim Tidwell—Never responded

  • County Commission District 9

    • Joshua James—Never responded

    • Mark Linville—Agreed to participate

  • County Commission District 10

    • Phil Wilson—Declined to participate

    • Iris Dismukes—Agreed to participate

  • County Commission District 12

    • Carl Boyd—Declined to participate

    • Celest Davis—Agreed to participate

  • County Commission District 13

    • Byron Glenn—Agreed to participate

    • Paul Johnson—Declined to participate

  • County Commission District 15

    • Cedric Alford—Declined to participate

    • Craig Harris—Declined to participate

  • County Commission District 16

    • Phil Dodd—Agreed to participate

    • Kyle Mullicane—Declined to participate

  • County Commission District 17

    • Jeff Phillips—Declined to participate

    • Mariah Phillips—Agreed to participate

  • County Commission District 19

    • Romel McMurry—Agreed to participate

    • Corey Sippola—Declined to participate