Etowah County Commission candidate Disqualified

District Attorney Jimmy Harp

Etowah County District Attorney Jimmie Harp announced Wednesday that Jeff Bynum, the Democratic candidate for Etowah County Commission District 6, has been disqualified because he failed to file a complete statement of economic interest with the state Ethics Commission as required.

Because Bynum did not file the necessary paperwork, Harp said, state law says he could not be certified if he won the election.

The form includes such information as income, employment, stocks owned, real estate owned, loans and other information.

Bynum's disqualification means Republican Tim Choate does not have opposition on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Bynum's name will remain on the ballot, which Harp said will not be reprinted because of the cost.

Harp said after the disqualification, the issue became what could be done since by law Bynum's name couldn't appear on the ballot.

He said another act says if the law has been violated and it is within 75 days of the election and the ballots have been printed, then votes for that candidate cannot be certified.

Harp said Bynum was notified that he had not completed the paperwork and was given a chance to do so, but did not send in additional information, so the Ethics Commission said he could not be certified.