VOLuntarilyConservative

For the past several weeks, many political pundits (and undoubtedly the U.S. Senate and 1st District candidates) have been asking the powers that be in Hawkins County if a straw poll would take place tonight. I know that I was interested because Hawkins County is the only East Tennessee county with a Lincoln Day on April 29th, and straw polls tend to bring out the bigger crowds. To my knowledge, everyone was told that there would be no straw poll.

Being a former resident of Surgoinsville (WAY back in the days leading up to and including kindergarten), I had entertained the idea of heading up that way. About mid-week, I decided that I would go anyway, as it is a beautiful drive along 11W and all U.S. Senate candidates, 1st District candidates, and candidate for governor Jim Bryson are slated to attend.

Yesterday, I received a call stating that it had been announced (presumably yesterday) that there would indeed be a straw poll at the Hawkins County Lincoln Day. Not only that, but apparently one of the campaigns had purchased all of the remaining tickets days ago. The VOLConWife and I are going on the gracious invitations of locals who donated their own tickets to us, and we are fortunate to have those.

I'm not saying that there is a fix in the works here to get one candidate a much-needed straw poll win. I don't know that at all and am only going on what I have been told. I will let you know what I observe after tonight and let you decide.