Vote From Next Cookeville City Council Would Finalize Wheaton As Mayor

Laurin Wheaton was the top vote-getter in the Cookeville City Council elections, making her the prospective mayor.

However, that does not make it official. Attorney Lane Moore said the top vote-earner becoming mayor is simply tradition.

“That’s the way it’s been for a long time, but it’s not necessarily written into law that tradition,” Moore said. “So it would be up to the new council to vote on that issue once they’re empaneled.”

Moore said as he understands the ordinance, Wheaton would not have to accept the nomination and vote of other council members. If voted on and accepted, Wheaton will serve as the second woman elected to serve as Cookeville’s Mayor.

The second highest vote-earner from Thursday night’s election was Luke Eldridge, making him the Vice-Mayor-elect. According to the city’s charter, both the mayor and the vice mayor shall be elected from among the council members.