Filing for the 2021 municipal elections in Highlands began Friday at noon and several candidates have filed for a chance to hold a seat.
As of Tuesday, Thomas Craig has filed a Notice of Candidacy for Commissioner in Highlands for the 2021 municipal elections and current mayor Patrick Taylor has filed a Notice of Candidacy for re-election.
Justin Stamey and Mike Trammel have filed paperwork for Clerk of Court in the 2022 Primary election and Robert Cook, Clay Bryson, Brent Holbrooks, Derek Jones and Chris Browning have all filed paperwork for the open sheriff’s position for the 2022 Primary Election.
“It has been an honor to serve as mayor of Highlands for the past eight years,” Taylor said. “I believe I have provided steady, responsible and responsive leadership for the community. As Highlands moves forward, I want to continue serving the community as mayor. That decision will be in the hands of the voters.”
The Highlands ballot will include two town commissioner seats currently held by Amy Patterson and Donnie Calloway.
Calloway announced on Tuesday that he will not be seeking re-election.
Calloway, who has served on the board for more than two decades in two separate stints, made it clear that his decision not to run for reelection does not mean he is retiring from public office.
“I think I need to take some time away for my family and my business, and it feels like now is the right time to do that,” Calloway said. “This isn’t the end for me, I’m not going anywhere, so I plan to still be involved in the community. We’ll see in the future what opportunities to serve may come about.”
The commissioners serve four-year terms.
To qualify to run for office, candidates be at least 21 years of age by election day, live in the town limits, be registered to vote and pay the filing fee. Both town elections are nonpartisan.
Municipal elections are open only to people living in and registered to vote in the city limits. Voters must have lived in the municipality for at least 30 days prior to the election to qualify to vote. The voter registration deadline for the 2021 election is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8.