March 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
One of the candidates who had planned to run in the Republican primary for Circuit Court Judge Part I has been disqualified from that race.
Dana R. Looper of Putnam County sought the Republican nomination for the judgeship in the Thirteenth Judicial District.
Potential candidates can be challenged as “bona fide” members of a party. Each political party’s state executive committee went through the appeal process and the Republican Party disqualified Looper.
With Looper’s departure from the race, William T. “Will” Ridley will be unopposed in the May 3 GOP Primary and will face Incumbent Judge Amy Turnbull Hollars, an Independent candidate in the August General Election.
This district includes Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties.
In a Facebook post, Looper responded to the challenge against her.
“Two ‘interested parties” challenged my status as a candidate in the Republican Primary based on a recent change in the Republican bylaws. I am disappointed and somewhat bewildered to announce that I have been disqualified from continuing in the race for Circuit Court Judge, part 1. My disqualification results from a challenge placed by unknown persons regarding my voting record,” said Looper.
“When filing my campaign papers, I never thought twice about what’s in my heart, I chose the party that best reflects my beliefs today. I had hoped to be the first Republican female judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit District. But reality is, the voters will not get to decide, and my opponent will run unopposed in the Republican primary. I appreciate everyone who has voiced their support and everyone’s willingness to work in this campaign. I’ve faced closed doors before and will grow from this obstacle as well,” said Looper.