Danny Ward announces candidacy for Carter County Mayor in May 4 election

Published 11:20 am Friday, March 11, 2022

Danny Ward, a former Carter County Commissioner, who is presently a member of the Carter County School Board, is formally announcing his candidacy today for Mayor in the May 4 Republican Primary.

Ward has worked in the retail grocery business for 30 years, first working at Winn-Dixie and now at Food City, where he has been employed for the past 10 years. He is Lead Assistant Manager at the Elizabethton store.

Ward is a life-long Carter County resident and a graduate of Elizabethton High School. He has owned three successful small businesses. While serving on the Carter County Commission from 2014-18, Ward served as chairman of the Carter County Financial Management Committee, chairman of the education committee, vice chairman of the landfill committee, and was a member of the highway committee.

He currently represents the fourth district on the Carter County School Board, having been elected to that position in 2018.

In announcing his candidacy for county mayor, Ward said, “I have always considered constituent service to be a very important part of my work in county government and it will remain just as important in my work as mayor. In addition to my service on the county commission and board of education, I am glad to have been able to help individual families and businesses in the community with their issues and concerns by working with agencies, departments, and elected representatives at every level of government.”

Ward said he had acquired many skills over the years as well as work and life experience, that only good common sense, hard work, commitment, and a true desire to make a difference can instill. “In addition to the skills mentioned, I have the skills and work experience that I believe are also important to possess in the role of county mayor. These include working with budgets, customer service, marketing, long-range planning, organization, public relations, problem solving, self-discipline, team building, research, and policy development and implementation,” Ward said.

He continued: “Two of the most important skills I believe needed to do an effective job as a leader are the skills of listening and being able to relate to people I work with and or serve. I have been responsible for the oversight of thousands of employees during my career, but I have never thought of myself as a ‘boss.’ In my opinion, anyone can be a boss, but a leader also listens, encourages and inspires.”

Ward said a few of his goals as mayor is to foster a working relationship with the county government, as well as city government. “We all live in this community together and good relationships on the local level can pave the way for the progress we need for Carter County’s future. We cannot make solid, effective progress on a regional, state, or federal level to bring opportunities to Carter County unless we are first committed to working together here,” Ward said.

The candidate said he would use different strategies to attract business to the area, but would also support the small businesses already located here.

He promised to support and encourage volunteerism, to operate the mayor’s office with a spirit of accountability and an open door. He said he would strive to keep himself educated about current issues and maintain a policy of transparency in the mayor’s office.

Ward is also a member of the Friends of Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter, former cast and support member of “Liberty!,” former member of the Elizabethton High Band Boosters, former volunteer with the Carter County Rescue Squad, recognized as a “Hometown Hero” by Modern Woodmen of America for his volunteer service and community contributions, and received the Claude Varney Award from the Food City company for his community service.

Ward and his wife Tammy, who he has been married to for 34 years, have a daughter, Amanda. She and her husband have two sons.

Ward will hold a Meet and Greet session Sunday, March 19, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals State Park in the reception area.