UPDATE: Republican Leadership Could Replace Unicoi County Election Coordinator

Updated at 10:00 a.m., Monday:

Casey Nicholson, former Democratic candidate for State Representative in the 5th District, called News Channel 11’s George Jackson from Scotland Monday morning to offer a history of his petition process.

“When I decided to run for office, I had every intention of filing my petition {in concert with Tennessee First Lady Andrea Conte's visit to Greeneville}, when she spoke at the Greene County Democratic Women’s club {in March of 2008}. My reasoning: I wanted get lots of signatures on my petition at the same time.

I had moved recently, from one precinct to another, but within the 5th District. But, I had not updated my voter registration.

I was told in Greene County that election rules mandated I wait (for my petition} until my {voter registration} card was mailed to me.

That sounded silly to me at the time because the office that I was running for, both {my home} addresses were in the 5th District.

I called Unicoi County to cross-reference, and spoke with Sarah Bailey about the state law. I wanted to know if this was purely a rule held by Greeneville’s election commission.

Bailey told it was not state law, and I was more than welcome to come to Unicoi County for a petition.

I never did.

I called people on the Greene County election commission to follow-up, and they allowed me to pick up a petition the same day.

If this was an issue for Rep. Hawk in to 2008 campaign, why would he wait a year and ten days to bring it up?” -- Casey Nicholson

Original article Posted at 11:45 p.m. Sunday:

Erwin, Tenn. -- For the first time since reconstruction, the Tennessee Republican Party holds a majority in both legislative chambers.

The "changing of the guard" hit Nashville hard this January, when Rep. Kent Williams (R-Elizabethton) kicked off his wild session as House Speaker.

Next week, the takeover GOP leaders call "historic" could have a similar effect on part of East Tennessee.

In 2005, Unicoi County leaned left, and Sarah Bailey (D-Erwin) fit right in as the coordinator of Elections in Unicoi County.

Next Monday, she could be out of a job.

"I think it would be very understandable that they would want to make a change if there had been problems with the way the elections had been run," Bailey said.

Representative David Hawk (R-Greeneville) said the decision isn't personal. Republican leaders in Nashville and Unicoi County asked him to replace Bailey, a former vice-chairman of the Democratic Party, with someone in the GOP.

"They asked me for a letter supporting the change. What you have is that letter of support," Hawk said.

"Support" might be the key word to this political puzzle. Bailey has a two-month old child to support.

"With the economy the way it is right now, I think it's nerve-wracking for anybody to think about trying to find a new job right now," Bailey said.

She also boasts the support of more than 100 on-line petitioners and key Republicans -- like Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris.

"It's a decision I think a lot of people here locally don't like. The election commission office, in my mind, should be a non-political office," Harris said.

Hawk's main political concern with Bailey involves her professional interactions with his challenger in 2008 -- Democrat Casey Nicholson.

"He was denied {his} qualifying petition in Greene County. He went to Unicoi County and Ms. Bailey qualified him with a petition, no questions," Hawk said.

"I can assure everyone that whatever happens in our office is because state law dictates that's the way it's going to happen," Bailey said.

She said Nicholson ultimately qualified in Greene, not Unicoi County.

Nicholson's mother said her son is in Scotland. He could not be reached for comment, and she could not verify which county granted his petition.

Regardless, Bailey's future rests in Republican hands.

"The majority of commissioners in Unicoi County will {sic} select the coordinator of elections," Hawk said.

The Tennessee State Election Commission will finalize that decision on April 6th.

To view a video version of this report, click on the play icon above.

For a copy of Hawk's letter to Unicoi County Republican Chairman Terry Haynes, enlarge the photo above.