Early voting: Your guide to Wilson County candidates and voting centers in Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Watertown

Wilson County residents can now cast votes for two incumbent-contested seats open on the Mt. Juliet City Commission and two fresh faces vying for the Lebanon City Council, since the window to cast an early ballot ahead of the Nov. 5 general election opened Wednesday.

Meanwhile, mayors up for reelection in Wilson County's three cities — Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Watertown — are all running unopposed. Early-voting stations opened Oct. 16 and will close Oct. 31.

Learn more about the incumbents and challengers in Wilson County seeking your vote here.

Lebanon City Council's Ward 2 Councilor

Ward 2 Councilor Fred Burton did not seek reelection. In his place, Geri Ashley and Pamela Wiggins are each running for his position, one of six seats on the Lebanon City Council.

Geri Ashley: A North Carolina native and Appalachian State University graduate with 35 years of experience in the insurance industry in various technical and leadership roles, Ashley works as an insurance claims consultant at MedPro Group. She has also led various fundraising efforts for multiple nonprofit organizations.

"Ward 2 has a diverse population, to include populations of underserved (residents) that need neighborhood improvements and activities for their youth," Ashley said, adding that it is important "that Lebanon maintains its small town charm.

"Revised zoning is needed within the community to ensure that new business brings value to our community, that businesses are erected in proper locations and that new business does not bring negative impacts to our quality of life and to the value of our homes."

Pamela Wiggins: Wiggins, 65, has been a Lebanon resident for more than 20 years. She is retired after 14 years with Wilson County Library's Watertown branch and 17 years working in Wilson County government.

Wiggins has served as president of the East Wilson Watertown Chamber of Commerce and is currently the secretary of Historic Watertown.

"I'm running because community is like family," Wiggins said. "I was raised in a community like that. I enjoy helping others and I want to help my community. As of right now, the most leading issues (are) infrastructure, homelessness and housing."

Mt. Juliet District 1 City Commissioner

Ray Justice: A lifelong Mt. Juliet resident with five children who have all attended or are attending Mt. Juliet or Green Hill high school, Justice has served as a city commissioner for more than 20 years.

He is a retired law enforcement officer who describes himself as a conservative Christian who ranks public safety and quality of life as his top two priorities. Justice has volunteered with youth sports organizations and is leading an effort to create a new community pool and park area on Clemmons Road.

"I am absolutely accessible and I enjoy talking to those with input," Justice said. "I've never been the smartest man in the room but I've always been smart enough to surround myself with smart people to get the information I need. Our community has become a destination in Middle Tennessee due to many factors, many of them created during my time in office. I'm not finished and I'm asking for your vote to continue the next four years as Mt. Juliet continues to grow. My experience in helping solve some of the issues we'll be facing in the near future will keep us from making some of the same mistakes we've made in the past. Controlled and managed growth will be the absolute priority as the growth shifts to the north side of Mt. Juliet."

Vince King: King is a military veteran of eight years who has lived in Mt. Juliet for more than 20 years. King and fiancé Tina Hinesley have three daughters and five grandchildren, who all live in Wilson County. King's professional background includes contract purchasing and negotiations, management manufacturing, real estate and business sales. He started his own business in 2010.

"I have been approached by numerous business owners and citizens of Mt. Juliet to run for commissioner," King said. "There is a lot of apprehension about the culture and decision making of the current Board of Commissioners. In the past year, they've all filed ethics complaints against each other and created an environment of not being trustworthy ... Growth and change will continue, but more thought and concern need to go into building approvals and the locations. Infrastructure and traffic issues often appear to be an afterthought. Every decision made usually affects the budget and taxes ... I will not be involved in any real estate deals, developments, or projects in the city of Mt. Juliet. It would be unethical to do so no matter the circumstance, period."

Art Giles: A former Mt. Juliet District 3 commissioner who was appointed to fill a vacant seat in 2010 and won two additional elections that included several years on the planning commission. Has lived in the same home in Mt. Juliet with wife Jill, a retired Wilson County Schools principal, since 1989. The Giles' have two adult sons with five grandsons. Giles, a Belmond University graduate with a degree in Business Administration and minor in Music, is running for the District 1 seat because of redistricting. Giles is currently a Mt. Juliet business owner, chairs the Mt. Juliet Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and leads music at various churches when needed.

Giles said his "platform includes increasing police and fire protection, working with the state to widen Lebanon Road to Highway 109, ensuring development corporations pay for their share of needed infrastructure (including pedestrian safety initiatives), attracting quality growth, demonstrating fiscal responsibility, and communicating with constituents."

Mt. Juliet District 3 City Commission

Incumbent Scott Hefner is running against Tommy Hibbett.

Scott Hefner: Hefner, the incumbent representing Mt. Juliet City Commission's District 3, won the seat in 2020 against Art Giles. He is married to wife Cheri and has two daughters. Hefner has owned multiple businesses and has also done consulting work in financial technology outsourcing solutions to enhance business processes for companies. Hefner also has a farm in Watertown with a small vineyard.

"I'm running for reelection to continue the work that I have been doing for Mt. Juliet," Hefner said. "Over the past four years, I've focused on ensuring that the city's growth aligns with infrastructure, particularly in terms of roads, emergency services and schools. Additionally, I'm dedicated to supporting new recreational facilities for both our senior and youth citizens. Re-election would allow me to build on these efforts, further shaping the future of Mt. Juliet in a way that benefits all residents."

Tommy Hibbett: Born and raised in Mt. Juliet, Hibbett worked 30 years for the Wilson County Sheriff's Office that included 28 years as a school resource officer at Mt. Juliet High, Mt. Juliet Middle and W.A. Wright Elementary. Hibbett also coached football six years at Mt. Juliet High and 22 years at Mt. Juliet Middle. He is on staff at Green Hill High School. His father, N.C. Hibbett, was Mt. Juliet first's mayor in 1972 and his mother, Jenny Bess Hibbett, was a city commissioner before becoming mayor in 1979.

"With 30 years of dedicated service with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office and a strong background in education and public safety, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing our community," Hibbett said. "My goal is to use my experience and leadership skills to serve the best interests of my fellow citizens and to ensure a safe, thriving and supportive environment for all residents."

Three uncontested mayoral elections

Unopposed Watertown Mayor Mike Jennings is running for a 15th consecutive term that goes back to 1983 when he was elected to the first of a series of two year terms, a three-year term and four-year terms. Jennings will have spent 41 years in office at the end of the year.

Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell and Mt. Juliet Mayor James Maness are also uncontested in reelection bids after one term each.

Lebanon, Watertown uncontested Council candidates

Lebanon Ward 1: Incumbent Joey Carmack

Lebanon Ward 5: Incumbent Tick Bryan

Watertown at-large aldermen: Incumbents Laura Lea Cromer, Steve Casey and April Pearson are set to retain their uncontested at-large council seats.