Updated: November 7, 2017

STATE SENATOR JIM TRACY, WHO REPRESENTED MARSHALL COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, RESIGNED MONDAY AFTER BEING CHOSEN AS STATE DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S  RURAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.  ACCORDING TO THE DAILY HERALD, TRACY WILL WORK WITH FORMER GEORGIA GOVERNOR AND CURRENT U.S. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY SONNY PERDUE, AN OPPORTUNITY HE LOOKS FORWARD TO IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN RURAL TENNESSEE.  TRACEY WILL FOCUS ON DOZENS OF ISSUES RIGHT AWAY INCLUDING BROADBAND ACCESS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES WHICH HE HAS SET AS ONE OF HIS TOP PRIORITIES.  WITH TRACY'S DECISION TO RESIGN, A SPECIAL ELECTION WILL TAKE PLACE FOR HIS SEAT.