More qualify as candidates for House seat

By JOHN BRANNON
Messenger Staff Reporter
More newcomers to the political scene have formally declared their candidacy for the House seat being vacated by incumbent Democratic state Rep. Phillip Pinion.
According to Leigh Schlager of the Obion County Election Commission, Larry Bennett of the Cat Corner community and Frankie Sharp of Ridgely have filed as candidates for the Democratic nomination.
Bennett, 67, is a lifelong farmer. Sharp, 51, owns Reelfoot Lodge & Bait Shop in the Blue Bank community of Reelfoot Lake.
This is Bennett’s first time to run for public office. Sharp has political experience on a local level. He served one term as alderman for the Town of Ridgely.
The Messenger will publish their formal announcements at a later date.
Mrs. Schlager said Republican Shelly Arnett of Samburg has filed qualifying papers to run for the Republican nomination.
This is not Mrs. Arnett’s first attempt to claim the House seat held 20 years by Pinion. In the the November 2004 election when she ran, Pinion was returned to office.
The Messenger was unable to reach Mrs. Arnett today for comment.
The original deadline to file qualifying papers to run in the state representative race was noon April 3. Pinion filed for re-election. But on April 10, he filed a formal notice that he would not be a candidate for re-election and, in fact, would retire from public office when his current term expires on Nov. 4. Because of his withdrawal, the qualifying period was reopened for a seven-day period. The new period expires at noon Thursday.
Published in The Messenger 4.16.08

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