MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, August 2, 2009 8:15 am

Both parties are vying for control of the 62nd Tennessee House of Representatives seat vacated by Curt Cobb (D-Shelbyville).

The seat is especially important this year with a close split in the state House, with Republicans holding a single seat advantage over the Democrats. The GOP has 50 seats to the Democrats’ 49.

“This race is extremely important to the balance of power in the state House,” explained Lou Ann Zelenik, Rutherford County Republican Party chairwoman.

“With so many important decisions facing our legislature, we need conservative Republican leadership in the House, working with the Republican leadership in the Senate, for Tennesseans,” she continued.

Rutherford County Democratic Party chairman Jonathan Fagan said the seat is important to his party, just as it is to the Republicans.

“It’s important to Tennessee to have Democrats in power because we stand up for common sense legislation that moves our state forward,” Fagan said.

“Republicans are only interested in silly legislation like guns in bars, guns in parks and moonshine distilleries,” he continued.

Only one Democrat has thrown his hat into the ring for the seat, Curt’s brother Ty Cobb Jr., not the same as Rep. Ty Cobb (D-Columbia).

Fagan threw his support solidly behind Cobb in his quest for his brother’s seat.

“He’s a farmer, a family man, devoted to God and country. He fits the district perfectly,” Fagan said.

The Republican field is more crowded with contenders, even with the loss of early favorite Barbara Blanton, who officially withdrew from the race earlier this week citing family reasons. Blanton ran a close race against Cobb in November. Her departure leaves four Republicans to fight it out in the primary.

City of Franklin employee Joseph Byrd, Big G Express trucking chairman Pat Marsh, Gateway church pastor Bobby Scott and Fayetteville car dealer Casey Walters have all filed their intent to run in the Aug. 27 primary.

Zelenik said the RCGOP typically doesn’t endorse candidates for elections, but it will fully support the primary winner in the general election.

Early voting will be held from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 7-22, Monday through Friday. Extended hours will be from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 13, 17 and 20 and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. All early voting will be held at the Rutherford County Election Commission office on the Historic Square in Murfreesboro.

The primary election will be Thursday, Aug. 27 in the following precincts: Blackman United Methodist Church, Eagleville Community Center and Rockvale Community Center.

Cobb resigned his post in the legislature, which he has held since 2002, earlier this month to serve as Bedford County’s new clerk and master.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.