Dear Voters,

In his most recent political ads, David Thompson makes a desperate attempt to manipulate voters. He is trying to twist a 24-year-old ad, created by him at the time, to allege that Ray Lough is not qualified to be County Attorney today. There is not one single thing in any of these allegations about Ray that are current.

Do you see today's law enforcement backing David Thompson? Do you see today's county employees backing him? Do you know how many Democrats have told me they are not voting for Thompson? Don't be fooled by this decades old, manufactured, ad. Don't we live in the present? Should the opinions of FORMER law enforcement outweigh those of our CURRENT law enforcement? I don't see any current law enforcement members supporting David Thompson. It's crucial that we don't allow ourselves to head to the polls with the beliefs of those who held a grudge from 24 years ago. Perhaps those individuals don't like Ray because they couldn't push him around.

Did you know Ray has been diagnosed with cancer four times and beaten it each time, including the removal of a 21-pound mass out of his abdomen in 2005? Did you know that Ray was told that he wasn't qualified to take the bar exam due to his loss of sight and had to take his case to the Supreme Court twice in order to practice law? Yes, he argued in front of the Tennessee Supreme Court before he was even licensed to practice law. What a way to start your career. His loss of sight has given him tremendous insight. He reads and understands people amazingly well. Ray has told me that every day is a challenge and those challenges drive him to success.

Ray Lough has always told it like it is, but he can do so without being rude, obnoxious, and disrespectful to the people around him. You can be tough without losing your professionalism. The people in our community who are complaining about David Thompson being "mean" are not the criminals. They are your friends and neighbors. They are regular people who work in the courthouse or who have had business there.

If David Thompson is telling elected officials when they are "screwing up", as alleged in one of the letters to the editor supporting him, then what was he doing advising them to ignore the county's nepotism policy in the handbook he wrote? One thing for sure is Ray will tell the supervisors the right thing to do. He will enforce our county handbook, including the nepotism policy. Ray Lough will be an ambassador for our county and our county employees.

Although only living four blocks from Ray, I really didn't know him prior to this campaign. We knew each other, but we hadn't really sat down and talked. I have been amazed since the day we sat down to discuss this campaign how tough, smart, driven, and funny he is. It makes me proud to know that someone in our community is so genuine and committed to helping so many people. Benton County will be safer as a result of Ray's dedication and determination.

Sincerely,

John Ketchen

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BA November 3, 2022, 1:13 pm Well said, John!
SJW November 3, 2022, 1:21 pm Well said Ketch. Let's end this reign of terror next Tuesday. County employees should not have to live in terror of losing their jobs by an ill-tempered bully who is having a bad day. We have lost too many excellent, experienced public servants because of him. Thompson is unprofessional and a liability for the county.

Proud Democrat Voting Republican next Tuesday
ML November 3, 2022, 1:24 pm I couldn’t agree more John. The lack of professionalism with the Benton County attorney is quite embarrassing. The way his campaign crew is trying to hunt people down for speaking out, the lack of knowledge with his own rules of nepotism the disrespect for our veterans. It makes no sense to have a private investigator. Seems like Ray should be the person with the private investigator.
ME November 3, 2022, 1:41 pm Well written John!
BF November 3, 2022, 2:57 pm YES, YES, and YES! Vote for a positive change in our community!
MR November 3, 2022, 4:10 pm 100% AGREE
LG November 3, 2022, 8:33 pm Absolutely let’s all RALLY for RAY on November 8th!
KT November 3, 2022, 10:34 pm Terrific John. You just stated what most all county employees and others are petrified to say! Bravo for getting the truth out and in the open!!!
SH November 4, 2022, 6:58 am John, Thank you for putting out the truth. Ray's experience outweighs his opponent just from his life experiences. Mr Thompson has put his nose into private businesses by refusing to pay money owed to them and then bashing them with his vulgar mouth. He forgets that he works for the TAX PAYERS OF BENTON COUNTY. 24 years of running a MONARCH needs to end (KING THOMPSON NEED TO BE DETHRONED ). Please get out and vote Nov. 8 and end Thompson's reign of terror on our COUNTY! LET'S PUT THE OLD DONKEY OUT TO PASTURE.
LF November 9, 2022, 4:27 pm Thank you to everyone that voted for Ray Lough now maybe things will be straightened out. I trust he will do an amazing job. Thank you Jesus go Benton County great start.
TVE December 24, 2022, 9:11 pm Well said John. I’ve known Ray since I was a kid back we went to school together. And Graduated In the Class of 1979. And Ray is a very intelligent man.