Joe Carr unseats Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron in GOP primary

Joe Carr declared unofficial winner of GOP primary for county mayor

Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

.Rutherford County mayor candidate Joe Carr captured the Republican primary Tuesday night, according to unofficial final election results on Tuesday.

Carr reigns as the unofficial winner of the primary as results await certification by the Rutherford County Election Commission during a 5 p.m. May 16 meeting, confirmed Alan Farley, the administrator of elections.

Carr had 6,862 votes after the counting ended while Rhonda Allen was runner up with 6,239 votes. Incumbent Mayor Bill Ketron landed third with 4,487 votes, and Aaron Coffey came in fourth with 593 votes.

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"Now it’s time to turn the page and open a new chapter for Rutherford County," said Carr, a former state representative from the rural Lascassas community northeast of Murfreesboro. "I’m excited for the opportunity."

Chad White, left, shows Joe Carr, right the election results for the Rutherford County Mayor's race on a cell phone during Carr's election result party at Slick Pig BBQ on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. It was later announced that Carr unseated Bill Ketron as Rutherford County Mayor.

Messages were left for Ketron Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, but he was unavailable for comment.

In addition to Ketron losing his seat, Allen chose against seeking reelection for her seat on the Rutherford County Commission, representing a Smyrna district for 12 years.

"I’m so proud of my team and all the people I met who encouraged me," said Allen, who's also served for 16 years as an appointed member Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission. "It’s been a fantastic journey. I’m glad I did it."

Carr said he wants to collaborate with Ketron, Allen and Coffey in turning a new chapter for Rutherford County. He praised them for their willingness to serve the public.

Joe Carr makes a speech to those that came to his election result party at Slick Pig BBQ on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, after results came in showing that he was around 650 votes ahead of Rhonda Allen in the Rutherford County Mayor's race. It was later announced that Carr unseated Bill Ketron as Rutherford County Mayor.

"This type of service exemplifies who we are as Rutherford countians, and I look forward to working together as we move this county forward," Carr said. "I want to thank my supporters, the volunteers and my family."

The GOP nominee will next compete in the Aug. 4 general election against three Independents: Royce Olen Johnson, Randy Allen and Norman Hanks.

The mayor job at this time pays an annual salary of $168,863. The job includes overseeing many government services, including emergency medical service, fire rescue, planning and engineering, codes, information technology, archives, building maintenance, veterans outreach, recovery courts, probation and solid waste.

The mayor also serves as purchasing agent for the county and is chairperson of the Correctional Work Center Board and the Community Care (nursing home) Board. Ketron like other recent mayors also has served as chairperson over Rutherford County Commission meetings. A mayor can also choose to have veto authority on commission decisions rather than to preside over meetings.

The mayor or an appointed designee also represents the county on regional boards for road planning, economic development and solid waste.

Note: This story will be updated as the Rutherford County Election Commission releases more results.

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips and questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden.