Property Assessor Rob Mitchell captures GOP primary for reelection over opponent

Scott Broden, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Updated ·2 min read

Rutherford County Property Assessor Rob Mitchell won 66.67% of the Republican primary vote Tuesday to assure his reelection.

"I’m grateful for all the support that we had from so many Rutherford County citizens," Mitchell said after winning 14,068 votes.

Rutherford County Property Assessor campaigns for reelection in the Republican primary outside the SportsCom polling center in Murfreesboro.
Rutherford County Property Assessor campaigns for reelection in the Republican primary outside the SportsCom polling center in Murfreesboro.

His Republican opponent Virgil Gammon, a former elected member of the Rutherford County Commission and a previous chief deputy of the Sheriff's Office, had 6,969 votes, which represented 33.03% of total counted.

Virgil Gammon campaigns Tuesday for the Rutherford County Property Assessor office outside the SportsCom polling center in Murfreesboro.
Virgil Gammon campaigns Tuesday for the Rutherford County Property Assessor office outside the SportsCom polling center in Murfreesboro.

Gammon captured about the same percentage when he lost in the GOP primary against Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh in 2022, who won with 41.93% while Tom Sissom had 24.42%.

Gammon said he congratulated Mitchell at the Rutherford County Republican Party Headquarters in downtown Murfreesboro when the counts were clear for the incumbent winning the GOP primary.

“I think we ran a good race, a clean race,” Gammon said Wednesday while he was out gathering his yard campaign signs. “Apparently, people aren’t ready for a change. The people chose, and I respect that. I’ve got nothing else but to wish him the best. You can’t end up with sour grapes in these things. You’ve got to move on and keep friends.”

Rental taxes to senior exemptions: Rutherford Co. Property Assessor candidates sound off

The 2024 vote count is unofficial until the Rutherford County Election Commission meets at 5 p.m. March 18 to certify the results.

Mitchell faces no competition in the Aug. 1 election in seeking another four-year term. He won his seat as a Democrat in 2012 before joining the Republican Party in subsequent elections.

"It was a good race," Mitchell said. "We conducted our campaign on issues and operating the office efficiently and in a professional manner, and the citizens obviously determined they wanted us to continue."

Dispute about Property Assessor seat: GOP conflict erupts in email between Rutherford County Republican Party Chairman Austin Maxwell and Mayor Joe Carr

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This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Property Assessor Rob Mitchell captures GOP primary for reelection