Keeton wins Sheriff Primary

By Editor | May 12, 2026 |

Keeton wins Sheriff Primary

Voter Turnout Low in Scott County amid Primary Confusion

By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]

Brian Keeton
2,055 votes – 54.31%

Voters turned out in moderate numbers last week to decide several contested Scott County races during the 2026 primary season, including a closely watched sheriff’s race, consequently the only race on the ballot that would have an ultimate outcome. While many other races appeared on the primary ballot, the results directly impacted that one race alone – the Republican nomination for Scott County Sheriff, a race that pitted former sheriff Ronnie Phillips and incumbent Sheriff Brian Keeton.
By night’s end, with 100% of precincts reporting, Keeton had defeated Phillips by a margin of 54.3% to 45.1%, receiving 2,055 votes to Phillips’ 1,707.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone for their support in this primary election. Winning the first-ever local primary is truly an honor, and it wouldn’t have been possible without each of you,” Keeton said following his primary victory. “I’m grateful for the encouragement, the conversations, and the trust you’ve placed in me. Now, we turn our focus to the general election in August. I look forward to continuing to earn your support – and reaching even more members of our community in the months ahead. Thank you, Scott County!”

Ronnie Phillips
1,707 – 45.11%

Other countywide results included Dennis Jeffers advancing as the only Republican for County Mayor. A close race between David R. Jeffers (305 votes) and Allen L. Phillips (304)for District 1 County Commission,as well as other races for Commission that included: Adam King (179) andTaylor Buttram Stephens (369)in District 2; Kelly Posey-Chitwood (349), District 5; Jason Perry (299), District 6; Circuit Court Clerk Donnie Phillips (2,893);Amanda Chambers Sexton (2,674), County Clerk; Ashley Newport Riseden (2,933), Register of Deeds; Road Superintendent Kelvin King (2,372);Rhonda Marlow Davis (363) in School Board District 1, and Stuart Jones (279) for Oneida Special School District.
In all, 3,891 of Scott County’s 13,706 registered voters cast ballots, for a turnout of 28.4%.
While there was much confusion around the primary process, under Tennessee law, primaries are mandatory for certain state and federal offices, such as governor, state legislature, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House races, but for most county offices – sheriff, trustee, county clerk, assessor, and others – parties may choose whether to nominate candidates through a primary or by another method allowed under party rules. Because the state does not require party registration, voters choose either a Republican or Democratic ballot on Election Day.
“It’s been challenging to help everyone understand the process,” Gabe Krahn, Scott County’s Administrator of Elections, told SCN in April, noting that public awareness remains a key focus.

Primary elections also carry a taxpayer cost. According to a fiscal note prepared for the Tennessee General Assembly, statewide election expenses can total hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the number of elections held.