Incumbent coroner’s name removed from May 19 ballot
Walker County’s coroner, whose name has been stricken from the May 19 ballot, expects the issue to be resolved so that his name will be put back on the ballot.
Dewayne Wilson, an incumbent who has held the position since 2001, qualified during the week of March 2-6 to run for re-election and was expected to face off against William H. “Billy” Sims in the Republican primary on May 19.
Wilson had until noon March 20 to explain a bounced check to allow his name to go back on the ballot. Walker County Director of Elections and Registration Danielle Montgomery said she had not heard from the county attorney at that deadline whether the necessary paperwork had been completed.
“We believe that Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union should have honored Mr. Wilson’s check when it was presented,” Wilson’s attorney, David Lockhart, wrote in an email March 20. “We are working with TVFCU and hope to receive certification from the credit union that the check was returned due to bank error. There have been delays in communication because of the Wuhan virus, but we do believe that Mr. Wilson’s name will appear on the May ballot without litigation against TVFCU.”
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citi
zens of Walker County over the last 20 years and, indeed, to do everything possible to continue to serve the citizens as their county coroner in the future with their support and Lord willing,” Wilson said.