CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – In a tie-breaking vote, Michael Lankford was selected by his fellow county commissioners to replace the late state Rep. Jeff Burkhart in the General Assembly.

The Montgomery County Commission held votes Monday night to appoint a new House District 75 representative. Last week, six candidates presented their qualifications: Lankford, Allie Phillips, Adolph Dagan, Kent Griffy, Kevin McPherson and Nathan Burkholder.

The first round was spread out, with four of the six candidates receiving votes. The commission failed to reach a majority however, which sent the voting into a second round.

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Round two and three were just as spread out. However, Dagan’s and McPherson’s names were taken off the ballot after they failed to receive votes in the second round.

After the third round, the list shrunk to three with Burkholder, Lankford and Phillips moving on.

On the fourth round, the commission failed to reach a majority again, and Burkholder was removed from consideration. On the fifth and final round, with only Lankford and Phillips on the ballot, Mayor Wes Golden broke a 9-9 tie.

During the final vote, voting for Lankford were Commissioners John Gannon, Jason Knight, Joe Smith, Rickey Ray, Jorge Padro, Joshua Beal, David Harper, Ryan Gallant and Billy Frye.

Voting for Phillips were Rashidah Leverett, LaTonia Brown, Jeremiah Walker, Joe Creek, Carmelle Chandler, Walker Woodruff, Lisa Prichard, Chris Rasnic and David Shelton.

“It’s been a long few weeks, but it feels great to be able to represent the town I grew up in and to have the confidence of the commission,” Lankford told Clarksville Now. “I just look forward to continuing to work with the commission as a whole, and promoting Montgomery County as best I can in Nashville.”

Lankford will serve until the next state election, with the primary in August and the general election in November.

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Jazmin Logan and Chris Smith contributed to this report.

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