The Cumberland County Republican Party has requested a primary election for county commission candidates, requiring candidates to declare a party affiliation. Jill Davis, the county’s election administrator, received this request and expects a similar one from the Democratic Party.

Historically, since 1856, Cumberland County Commission elections have been non-partisan, with candidates running without party affiliation in the general election. This change makes the commission a partisan elected office, aligning it with other county offices, like the school board, which became partisan recently.

The Crossville City Council and Mayor’s office remain the only non-partisan elected positions in the county.