Monday, July 2, 2012 8:15 pm

The Cannon County Election Commission fired Stan Dobson as Adminstrator of Elections Monday night.

The reason given for Dobson's termination was "Unprofessional Conduct."

Dobson was appointed Administrator of Elections in 2009 after the Republican Party assumed control of the Tennessee Legislature in 2008 and replaced several Democratic Party-controlled county election commissions with Republican majorities. Dobson took over for Mary Lynn Bush.

His tenure has been marked by controversy during the last year over the pay and hours worked by his assistant, Dorinda Mankin, and an effort by the Election Commission to close polling places at Short Mountain School and Pleasant Ridge.

He also was involved in a recent effort along with Election Commissioner Matt Studd, a Republican, to have Louise Mayo, a fellow Republican member, removed from the Commission.

Jackie Gannon, one of two Democrats along with Sue Patrick on the five-member Commission, made the motion to fire Dobson Monday. Mayo voted along with Gannon and Patrick to remove Dobson. Studd and Commission Chairman Lindburg Dennis voted against, wth the motion passing 3-2.

A replacement for Dobson is expected to be made at a special meeting of the Election Commission Thursday night.

The next election in Cannon County is a month from today, Aug. 2, when the State Republican and Democratic Primary and County General Election is held. Early voting starts July 13.