... to Hoyt and let him know that, even though the primary is unopposed, there is still a choice to be made on the ballot (vote or not vote), and the media has a responsibility to fairly represent all candidates on the ballot.

The day we take unopposed races off the ballot and declare the winner before election day, then they might have an argument.

I said yesterday:

It is notable that (the governor's race) is the ONLY race in which the Guide fails to provide any info whatsoever on the Democratic candidate.

And Randy said today:

…we're sure their reasoning is that McWherter is unopposed in the Democratic primary. And they were consistent on that in all the races.

Well, my apologies for misstating that it was ONLY in the governor's race that KNS failed to profile the (unopposed) Dem primary candidate. Frankly, I gave the Guide just a cursory review, noted that notable omission, and tossed it aside in disgust.

However, in looking at it more closely this morning, it looks like KNS wasn't consistent in omitting profiles for ALL unopposed Dem primary candidates, either. I see that in the 10th District House primary, an unopposed Dem, Larry Mullins, is profiled (page 8 in Guide).

So why not McWherter, Walker, et al?

Exactly what rule WAS being applied in including/excluding primary candidates' profiles?

The Voter Guide focused only on contested races, regardless of party, in the primary.

Uncontested races are a lock, and the point of the Voter Guide is to inform voters of their choices. And before anybody asks about write-in candidates -- write-ins aren't even counted unless a write-in candidate is registered 50 days ahead of time (none are registered in Knox County).

Anyway, that's the thinking behind excluding uncontested races. You might not agree, which is certainly your prerogative.

Also, sending e-mails to Hoyt won't work. He retired in the spring and I took his place. My e-mail is barkers@knoxnews.com. If you want your message published as a letter to the editor, keep it to 300 words and send it to letters@knoxnews.com, along with a phone number.

Thanks
Scott Barker
KNS