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News: Roane State student serves as county commissioner in Campbell County

Zachary Marlow

Nov. 21, 2018

By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

Roane State Community College student Zachary Marlow was elected to the Campbell County Commission during the August election, and at 18, he's likely the youngest-ever to win an elective office in the county - if not the state.

When he's not hitting the books at Roane State's Campbell County campus, he joins 14 other county commissioners in deliberating weighty issues during twice-a-month meetings at the courthouse in Jacksboro.

His interest in politics was sparked by a controversial plan some four years ago to put a landfill in the northern end of the county, where his family owns land. That plan later fizzled, but it ignited his interest in politics.

His parents, David and Missy Marlow, "were a little shocked" when he first voiced his political intentions, "but they thought it was a good idea."

To win the commission seat, Marlow campaigned door-to-door, mailed out letters, greeted voters outside the early-voting site, and stumped on Election Day. Throughout it all, "I wasn't pushy," he said of his politicking style.

He came up with his own campaign slogan: "Honest, determined, visionary."

Marlow has some definite goals while on commission. He said he wants to end the opioid problem that's plaguing the county. Because of rampant pain pill addictions, "families have grandparents raising grandchildren." There's a need in the county for a Boys and Girls Club or an equivalent, he said.


Marlow said he wants to help lure high-paying jobs to the largely rural county. Many residents, he said, "are leaving to get jobs elsewhere."

While attending Campbell County High School, Marlow took dual enrollment classes offered through Roane State and ended up with 24 college credit hours before graduating with distinction from high school in May 2018.

He attained a 4.22 grade point average in high school and earned seven As and a B in his dual enrollment classes. "I liked dual enrollment. In most cases, the classes are smaller than in high school."

"At Roane State, you get to be with people who want to be there, while in high school, you're with people who have to be there," he said.

Marlow's course load this fall includes political science (naturally), probability and statistics, western civilization and biology.

He'll graduate from Roane State next spring and plans to transfer to a four-year university, where he intends to major in either political science, education or communications.

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