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Republican Candidates Speak to Constituents Ahead of May Primary
Washington County GOP candidates running for various local offices met with voters at the Carnegie Hotel.
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
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Republican candidates running in the upcoming May primary election in Washington County, Tennessee met with constituents on Monday at the Carnegie Hotel. Candidates running for general sessions judge, circuit court clerk, trustee, register of deeds, county clerk, public defender, and sheriff's office positions took the stage to discuss their platforms and qualifications.
Why it matters
This event provided an opportunity for local Republican voters to hear directly from the candidates vying for key county-level offices in the upcoming primary election. The primary will determine who will represent the GOP on the ballot in the general election later this year.
The details
During the event, candidates were each given two minutes to address the audience. Sheriff Keith Sexton, who is running for reelection, touted improvements he has made to the county jail and pledged to continue the fight against the drug crisis. Public defender candidates Melanie Sellers and Bill Donaldson emphasized the importance of providing quality legal representation to all. General sessions judge candidates William Monk and Steve Darden discussed their legal experience and commitment to fairness and respect in the courtroom.
- The voter registration deadline for the May primary election is April 6.
- Early voting runs from April 15 through April 30.
- The official election day is May 5.
The players
Keith Sexton
The current Washington County Sheriff who is running for reelection.
Melanie Sellers
The current public defender who is running for reelection.
Bill Donaldson
An attorney with 35 years of experience in East Tennessee who is challenging Sellers for the public defender position.
William Monk
A lawyer who was appointed as a general sessions court judge in 2025 and is now running for election.
Steve Darden
A lawyer, mediator, and former mayor of Johnson City who is running for general sessions judge.
What they’re saying
“We've got to do what we can do to keep bad people in jail and those who are just mentally ill or addictive we need to have some type of program so that we quit paying for them.”
— Keith Sexton, Washington County Sheriff
“Every person, regardless of their income, regardless of their race or their background, all deserve a fair chance in court. The Constitution promises the right to an attorney, but that promise is worthless if the defense is underfunded (or) overworked.”
— Bill Donaldson, Attorney
“I will treat everyone with dignity and respect. That's not something I'll have to learn, that's how I am.”
— Steve Darden, Lawyer and Mediator
What’s next
The voter registration deadline for the May primary election is April 6. Early voting runs from April 15 through April 30, and the official election day is May 5.
The takeaway
This event highlighted the importance of local elections and the opportunity for Republican voters in Washington County to hear directly from the candidates vying for key county-level offices. The primary will set the stage for the general election later this year.
