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On Aug. 1, 2024, Cheatham County held its federal and state primary elections as well as the county general and Pegram city elections. Only 13.42% of the county’s population showed up to vote, casting 3,850 votes.
Pegram saw its largest election in recent history, with three open seats but seven contestants running.
Charles Morehead, 67, ran uncontested for the town’s mayor position, winning his fifth term with 449 votes.
Morehead was first sworn in to lead Pegram for a two-year stint in August 1998. He served his second term as mayor from 2004-2008, and served his third and fourth term consecutively from 2012-2020 – when he passed the gavel over to current Pegram Mayor John Louallen.
Morehead – who serves as a woodworking teacher and sports coach at Harpeth Middle School – said his main priority over the next four years is finishing critical projects Mayor Louallen “has worked hard on,” like installing a new sewer plant.
“I appreciate that the residents of Pegram do support me,” Morehead said in a statement to the Gazette following the reveal of the results on election night. “I love the town I live in and try to do my best in seeing that we keep moving forward.”
“We do need some growth, but maintaining the quiet, cozy community where everyone knows each other. Too much growth too fast is not good,” he added.
Morehead said that he would love to see a new grocery store and a small restaurant move into Pegram, but the problem remains of finding the right person to invest and build.
Miranda Christy Montgomery won her election to serve as the town’s alderman with 275 votes. The 44-year-old lawyer is taking her first stab at local government.
“There were three things that made this campaign a success: amazing volunteers; a clear message; and a solid ground game,” Montgomery told the Gazette. “For weeks I was out every night, knocking on doors, asking neighbors about their concerns and sharing mine with them. Many people remarked that it had been years since a candidate had come knocking on their door to ask what they thought about anything.”
“I feel folks really responded to that get-out-in-the-heat-and-roll-up-your-sleeves type of effort,” she added.
Montgomery – whose family has lived in Pegram since the 1990s – said her top two priorities for the next four years are transparency and community engagement. She will be replacing Alderman Bo Sanders.
Alderman incumbent and Vice Mayor Bob Sanders, 71, won his reelection, beating out Leah Louallen by just two votes. This fourth term will make a total of 30 years Sanders has served Pegram.
“Thank you Pegram,” Sanders said. “I won’t let you down. We have plenty of work to do.”
Similar to incoming Mayor Morehead – whom Sanders has worked alongside in the past – the alderman plans to prioritize replacing the town’s failing sewer system.
All three of Pegram’s elected officials will be sworn in during the town’s monthly meeting on Aug. 26.
As for the county general election, incumbent Cindy Dozier Burney won her reelection unopposed for county property assessor and Robert “Bob” Binkley won his reelection unopposed for road superintendent.
David Risner won his reelection to serve on the school board for District 6 (Kingston Springs).
The federal and state primary election on Aug. 1 saw no upsets. You will see the following candidates on your ballot come Nov. 5:
Republican:
Incumbent Marsha Blackburn for U.S. Senate
Incumbent Mark Green for U.S. Representative 7th District
Incumbent Mary Littleton for Tenn. House District 78
Democrat:
Gloria Johnson for U.S. Senate
Megan Barry for U.S. Representative 7th District
Deborah Castle Doyle for Tenn. House District 78
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