The Putnam County Republican Party endorsing a slate of five conservative candidates for the Cookeville City Council to promote shared values in the upcoming nonpartisan election.
Putnam County Republican Party Chair Charlotte Sanders said the organization is promoting Ali Bagci, Luke Eldridge, Chad Gilbert, Mason Harville and Kelly Parkison as its chosen candidates. Sanders said the party selected these specific individuals because they are outstanding citizens who represent Republican and conservative values.
“We think that they have the conservative values that we’re looking for, and we’re hoping that they will take care of our city, and do well with it,” Sanders said.
Signs popped up this weekend with the five names listed, but did not note the group supporting the five or why they were chosen. Vice Mayor Luke Eldridge said the local party endorsement serves as a marker for voters even though the council race is officially nonpartisan.
Eldridge said his personal conservative values are rooted in his faith and his morals as he stands in the public arena.
“It’s just I think a lot of people would like to see their elected officials to stand on what they believe in and not shy away from it,” Eldridge said. “And I think you see that on both sides, I mean on any side, I think when people run, they stand on what they truly believe in. And that’s, for me, it’s being conservative, and my faith is a big part in that.”
Eldridge said the candidates on the slate generally agree on infrastructure projects and public parks but may differ on social matters or policies for public places. Sanders said the party decided to display all five candidates together on campaign yard signs to show a unified endorsement.
“Even with the current city council with Mayor (Laurin) Wheaton and Eric (Walker), you know, there’s things that we don’t all agree on, but we’ve been able to walk it out, talk it out and still work together and and that’s good,” Eldridge said. “That’s healthy.”
City Council candidate Mason Harville said the joint campaign signs were produced specifically by the Putnam County Republican Party. Harville said the individual candidates were chosen for the slate because of their knack for being fiscally conservative. Harville said he plans on leaning on those conservative values if he is elected.
“One of the things that I’m really conservative about is the growth,” Harville said. “Growth is good, but growth can be bad if it’s mismanaged. And so one thing that I’m leaning on personally is how we manage that growth. Making sure we don’t push our small businesses out, making sure that we’re being ultra-conservative when it comes to our contract work, when it comes to like our blue-collar work.”
Eldridge said he believes that regardless of who is elected, the council members will find a way to work together for the community.
“We always complain not enough people are involved,” Eldridge said. “And I do appreciate everybody getting involved because that there’s a lot of good conversations that come out of that. There’s a lot of you see where people land and you see what people want, you see where people’s hearts are. And that’s healthy for a community because you get to see where the community’s at.”