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At least two Democrat members of Blount County Commission may have possible Republican opposition in next year's election.

Former Daily Times publisher Jerome Moon has picked up a petition to qualify for the Republican nomination for Democrat Wendy Pitts Reeves' seat but has not officially announced his candidacy.

Republican Richard Center of Maryville took out a petition Monday to qualify for the seat held by Robert Proffitt, also a Democrat.

Reeves on Monday said she planned to run for office in 2010 but declined to specify which one: "I've had a lot of folks asking me to consider various options. I'm still evaluating how I may best serve the people of Blount County."

If Reeves doesn't run for County Commission, she has several other options in 2010. Local offices up for election include county mayor. On a state level, all of the seats representing Blount County in the state House of Representatives will be up for election.

The 2010 campaign season officially started Friday with prospective Blount County governmental candidates picking up petitions to qualify for the May 4 primary election. At this point, it’s unknown whether County Mayor Jerry Cunningham will seek re-election or whether County Finance Director Dave Bennett would attempt to succeed him if not. Cunningham had no comment on his political plans Monday.

So far, 22 people have picked up petitions. The latest ones include: Jim Scully, a Republican, for County Commission District 7, Seat B, which is held by David Graham, who is not seeking re-election. Scully is a former chairman of the Blount County Planning Commission.

James E. Taylor, a Republican, has taken out petitions for District 8, Seat A and B, which are held by John Keeble and Commissioner Mike Walker, respectively; however, he can only turn in one petition.

So far no Republican candidate has filed to run for Democrat David Ballard's District 1 seat.