Most election seasons, the withdrawal deadline comes and goes without attracting much attention.

Candidates submit their petitions, get approved and move forward toward the election. If someone withdraws, their name is removed and does not appear on the ballot and the election moves forward.

This year, however, a withdrawal has created a rather unique situation, at least unique for the current status of Hamblen County politics.

With Jessica Mills’ withdrawal from the race for County Commission District 3, there is only one person qualified in the race, Democrat Joyce Cotner.

In a county with no registered Democrats serving in county-wide positions, Cotner will have the inside track. She will face no opposition on the primary ballot and none on the ballot for the August general.

It is too late for a Republican, a fellow Democrat or an independent to qualify to be on the ballot.

The only scenario for Cotner to face opposition would be for someone to mount a write-in campaign, which are rare and even more rarely successful.

Election officials indicate there has only been a single successful write-in campaign going back decades.

That election apparently involved a City Council seat.