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Butt Wins Re-Election as Maury County Mayor; Local Election Results Announced

Issue #789

August 07, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛈️ Columbia’s Saturday Weather - Scattered thunderstorms w/ high of 85, low of 70

📰 Butt Wins Re-Election as Maury County Mayor; Local Election Results Announced

🩸 Blood Needed Critically Across Middle Tennessee 

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Butt Wins Re-Election as Maury County Mayor; Local Election Results Announced

Nearly 17,000 Maury County voters cast ballots in Thursday’s Aug. 6 election, with several closely watched local, state and congressional races decided in the unofficial results.

The turnout represents roughly 25% of the county’s estimated 75,000 registered voters. Official results will be finalized later this month.

The county’s most closely watched local race ended with incumbent Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt defeating County Commissioner Gabe Howard.

Butt received 9,403 votes, or about 56% of the total, while Howard received 7,331 votes. Butt held the lead throughout the evening after receiving 4,933 votes during early voting compared with Howard’s 3,639.

Following the election, Mayor Sheila thanked her supporters and campaign staff.

“There is a group of people here tonight who have worked with me and stood with me through all of this and want Maury County to continue being the best place we can live, work and raise our families in Tennessee,” Butt said.

She also pointed to the county’s culture, farmland and future as areas she hopes to continue focusing on during another term.

Blackburn, Green Win Gubernatorial Primaries

Maury County voters selected U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn as the Republican candidate for governor, giving her 5,448 votes.

John Rose finished second with 4,282 votes, followed by state Rep. Monty Fritts with 2,986.

On the Democratic side, Jerri Green won the Maury County primary with 2,971 votes. Carnita Atwater received 715 votes, followed by Kevin Lee McCants with 233, Adam “Ditch” Kurtz with 194 and Tim Cyr with 193.

Blackburn and Green will meet in the November general election.

The winner will succeed Gov. Bill Lee, who is unable to seek another term because of Tennessee's term limits.

Chaz Molder Advances in Congressional Race

Maury County voters also helped determine the candidates who will compete for the newly drawn 5th Congressional District seat in November.

On the Republican side, challenger Charlie Hatcher defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in the primary. Hatcher received 4,831 votes in Maury County compared with 4,642 for Ogles.

Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder won the Democratic primary with 2,167 votes, putting him on the November ballot against Hatcher.

The election will mean a new representative for the district, as Ogles will not return to Congress if Hatcher or Molder wins the general election.

New Candidates Join Maury County Commission

Several County Commission races were also decided Thursday. The results will bring several new faces to the commission, while a number of incumbents will return.

District 1: Tim Holt and Jerry Strahan
District 2: Patti Hollinsworth and Wayne Romesburg
District 3: Gary Stovall and Winston Harlan
District 4: Connie Green and Mike Kuzawinski Jr.
District 5: Sam Barnes and Scott Sumners
District 6: Rebecca Haines and Cindy Hestla
District 7: Kenny Morrow and Richard Baud
District 8: Steven Burford and Missy Smith Phillips
District 9: Kevin Markham and Brent Coen
District 10: Danny Grooms and Greg Combs
District 11: Chad Brothers and Tim Mullen

Other Local and State Results

In the only contested Maury County school board race, Steve McGee won the District 9 seat over David Sisk.

Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland received 15,208 votes.

In the Tennessee House races covering portions of Maury County, Republican incumbents Scott Cepicky and Kip Capley won their respective primaries. Cepicky received 7,539 votes in District 64, while Capley received 3,591 votes in District 71.

U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty was unopposed in the Republican primary and received 11,642 votes in Maury County. Marquita Bradshaw won the Democratic Senate primary locally with 2,155 votes.

In the 9th Congressional District, Brent Taylor won the Republican primary in Maury County with 1,350 votes, while Justin Pearson won the Democratic primary with 942 votes. The two will face each other in November.

The election now sets the stage for the Nov. 3 general election, when Tennessee voters will choose the state's next governor along with congressional candidates and other races on the ballot.

Blood Needed Critically Across Middle Tennessee

The American Red Cross is reporting only the second national blood crisis in its history, and Ascension Saint Thomas is urging Middle Tennesseans to donate as soon as possible. Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low while demand for transfusions remains steady, with especially critical shortages of type O blood and platelets.

Ascension Saint Thomas will host blood drives at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West and Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 10. Walk-ins are welcome, or donors can schedule an appointment in advance.

Blood is needed every day for trauma patients, emergency surgeries, childbirth complications, cancer treatment, organ transplants and other lifesaving care.

Can't make it to Nashville? The Red Cross has blood donation opportunities throughout Middle Tennessee. Use the Find a Blood Drive locator and enter your ZIP code to find a location and appointment near you.

As a thank-you, those who donate blood, platelets or plasma during August will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email, subject to eligibility and availability.

Find a donation location: Red Cross Blood Drive Locator

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, August 7th 

Saturday, August 8th 

Sunday, August 9th

Monday, August 10th 

Tuesday, August 11th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, August 6
Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6-9 PM

Friday, August 7
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Nick Black - Buck & Board, 6-8 PM
First Fridays with Miles Victor Trio - Puckett's, 6:30-8 PM
Classic Vinyl 931 - Grinder's Switch, 7-9 PM
Live Music on the Square - Brother Maven - Puckett's, 8:30-10 PM

Saturday, August 8
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Trace Vineyard, 2-5 PM
Grasskickers - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Napier City Limits - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5-9 PM
The Alderson Collective - McCreary’s, 7-9 PM
Curated Writers Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 PM
Brooklyn Ray - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Scotty Morton Band - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30-10:30 PM

Sunday, August 9
The Sins - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM

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