VITAL WILL FILL CARTER’S POST

Tuesday was Election Day, and we’re not talking about the California recall election in which Golden State residents were to decide whether to keep or reject their “let-them-eatcake” Democratic governor.

No, we’re thinking about Tennessee District 29, where a special election was held to fill the seat of the late state Rep. Mike Carter, whose legislative district covers parts of Ooltewah, Collegedale, Harrison and Sale Creek.

The easy winner was Republican Greg Vital, a senior living company founder, former health care executive and conservationist. His opponent, Democrat DeAngelo Jelks, recently resigned as vice chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party and is embroiled in a personal controversy.

We believe the winner’s experience in business, government, entrepreneurship, volunteerism and conservation offered residents of the district the best opportunity to follow Carter — whose brilliant legal mind combined with common-sense wisdom to offer practical, pragmatic leadership — and his widow, Joan Carter, who has served in his place since May.

The district has leaned heavily Republican, with Carter unopposed in four or his five races and getting 68% support in the other one.

The vote on Tuesday was light, but 2,362 residents exercised their privilege in early or absentee voting.

We look forward to Vital taking his place in the Tennessee legislature and being the same generous, capable, approachable leader Carter was for nearly a decade.