BBBTV12 Serving Anderson, Roane, and Morgan Counties
The Roane County Election Commission has voted to remove Chevis Cox from the ballot for the November 3 Rockwood municipal election following a formal challenge to his residency qualifications.
The commission held a special public hearing Tuesday morning at the Roane County Courthouse in Kingston. Rockwood City Councilwoman April Foust Wilson filed the challenge in August, questioning whether Cox had met the city’s residency requirement to run for mayor.
Wilson told commissioners she filed the complaint after receiving information from an anonymous source. Wilson and Cox were placed under oath and given an opportunity to present evidence and explain their positions.
Election Commissioner Charles Holloway also testified about Cox’s claimed residence at 1004 South Gateway Avenue in Rockwood. Holloway said he visited the property and spoke with its owner, who reportedly told him Cox did not live there.
Cox testified that he stayed at the residence at times while helping care for the property owner, who was experiencing several medical issues.
Wilson maintained that Cox had not established his primary residence within Rockwood for the required length of time. She argued that his primary residence was in Cumberland County, although Cox owns several properties in Rockwood.
Rockwood’s city charter requires a mayoral candidate to have lived in the city for at least one year before qualifying for office.
Following a hearing that lasted nearly an hour, the Election Commission voted to remove Cox from the ballot. All commissioners were present, with Commissioner Troy Bates presiding.
Cox had been challenging incumbent Mayor Jason Jolly. With the qualifying deadline having passed, Jolly is now the only remaining candidate in the Rockwood mayoral race.
Several members of Cox’s family attended the hearing in support of him. Wilson was also joined by members of the Rockwood City Council. All council members except Bobby Anderson were present, along with Rockwood City Administrator Becky Ruppe.
The November 3 election will include municipal races in Rockwood, Kingston, Oliver Springs and Oak Ridge, along with state and federal general-election contests. Early voting is scheduled for October 14 through October 29.
