Here's who is running for office in Hawkins County

Update: See the results of the May 5 Republican primary election here. The winners of that election, who will appear on the ballot in August, are marked with an asterisk; independent candidates, also on the August ballot, are also marked. HAWKINS COUNTY — In late December, the Hawkins County Election Commission began issuing petitions to potential candidates in the 2026 elections. Primary elections for county offices will be held on May 5, 2026. This is when voters choose the candidate, or candidates, to represent their party. Independent candidates bypass the primaries. General elections will be on Aug. 6. To be a candidate, a person must turn in their ballot by noon on Feb. 19, 2026, said Hawkins County Administrator of Elections Crystal Rogers. Rogers shared a log of who has picked up and returned a petition. As of the deadline, the election commission received petitions from the following people. They all identified as Republicans, unless otherwise noted. This list, last updated March 28, includes any changes to the candidate log. Each district elects two commissioners. Mayor Mark DeWitte, the current mayor since 2022 Keith Gibson, a Church Hill alderman *David W. Linkous, a business owner Kenneth William Stapleton, a community member Chris Christian, the Hawkins County Board of Education chair, withdrew from the race after meeting the filing deadline. Trustee *Jim Shanks, the current trustee since 2014 Sheriff Tony Allen, the chief deputy at the sheriff's office David Allen Good, a state trooper *Scott Stewart, the assistant director of the Third Judicial District Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force Roddy Miller, the Church Hill Police Department's assistant chief Chad Britton, a detective at the sheriff's office and a District 4 county commissioner Current Sheriff Ronnie Lawson is retiring. Karesa G. Floyd Charles picked up a petition but did not return it. Clerk of Courts *Randall L. Collier, the current clerk of courts County Clerk *Cindy Rutledge, the chief deputy county clerk since 2014 and a deputy clerk for 38 years Austin Ray Bradley, a security guard Nancy Davis, the current county clerk since 2014, told the Kingsport Times News that she is retiring. Register of Deeds *Judy C. Kirkpatrick, the current register of deeds since 2002 Road Superintendent *Danny G. Jones, the current road superintendent since 2022 *Jason E. Light, independent, the Church Hill public works director Third Judicial District Circuit Court *Mark Stephen Stapleton, of Stapleton Law Office in Rogersville *Crystal Jessee, of Jessee Law Office in Greeneville The Third Judicial District Circuit Court serves Hawkins, Hancock, Hamblen and Greene counties. A judgeship was recently left vacant when William E. Phillips II was appointed to the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Gov. Bill Lee appointed Stapleton to fill the judgeship until it is up for grabs in the Aug. 6 election. Stapleton and Jessee are running to keep or gain the position in the general election, where they were required to run as independents. Aaron Chapman, of Lakeview Family Law in Morristown — previously being considered for appointment and running for the position — has suspended his campaign. District 1 Commissioner: *Syble Vaughan Trent, a current District 1 commissioner *John K. Gibson, a current District 1 commissioner School board: *Bob L. Larkins, the current representative Brandon Peters picked up a petition but did not return it. Constable: *Grady White, a former Mount Carmel police chief District 2 Commissioner: *Steve Armstrong, independent, the Hawkins County Emergency Management Agency's deputy director *Jeff Barrett, a current District 2 commissioner *Codie Pate, independent, a member of the United Citizens of Hawkins County *Randy L. Patterson Michael Bell, a Church Hill alderman Tom Kern, the other incumbent District 2 commissioner, is not seeking reelection. Kern is currently serving his second term. Constable: *Freddie Castle, the current District 2 constable since 2010 James B. Freshour, the IT administrator of the East Tennessee Constables Association with a background in security and law enforcement District 3 Commissioner: *Rodney Roberson, independent, the Rogersville Housing Authority's executive director *Matthew Williams, independent, the owner and senior editor of Here! Hawkins County News *Stacy D. Vaughan, a former commissioner with a background in law enforcement The current commissioners, Danny Alvis and Charles Thacker, did not file for candidacy. School board: *Kurt Cornett, independent, a resident with a background in construction and real estate Constable: *Frank H. Vaughn, the current District 3 constable Bryan D. Carter, a physician's assistant and former officer with the Kingsport Police Department District 4 Commissioner: *Warren C. Bishop, a Surgoinsville alderman *Josh Gilliam, a current District 4 commissioner The other current commissioner, Chad Britton, is running for sheriff instead. Rodney Ferrell picked up a petition, but decided not to submit it. School board: *Hannah Elizabeth Speaks, the current representative and a former commissioner Tecky Hicks, a former school board member and a pastor Shari Dinkins Mefford picked up a petition but did not return it. Constable: No one picked up or returned a petition for this position. District 5 Commissioner: *Glenda Petty Davis, a current District 5 commissioner *Jamie Miller, the Emergency Management Agency's director Jason Roach, the other incumbent District 5 commissioner, is not seeking reelection. Ted Coppola picked up a petition, but did not return it. Constable: Chris Funk and Ben Cupp picked up petitions but did not return them. There are currently no candidates for this position. District 6 Commissioner: *Dane Chisholm, independent, a leader of the United Citizens of Hawkins County *Edwin Cope, a farmer and at-large member of the Hawkins County Planning Commission *Nancy T. Barker, a current District 6 commissioner and the executive director of the Rogersville/Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce Denny Arnold and Mark Baker were removed as Republican candidates by the state party. Arnold is a retired contractor. Baker is a proto-technician at Mahle Motorsports and little league coach. Larry Clonce, District 6's other commissioner, is not seeking reelection. School board: *Debbie Gladson Shedden, the current representative and the board's vice chair Travis Charles, a contractor Constable: *Wayne Cunningham, the current District 6 constable Tim Kerney Austin Ray Bradley picked up a petition, but decided to run for county clerk instead. District 7 Commissioner: *Bobby Lee Jinks, a current District 7 commissioner *Robbie Palmer, a current District 7 commissioner since fall 2022 and a nurse Michael J. Herrell, a former commissioner Tom Laster and Jamie C. Lawson picked up petitions but did not return them. Lawson said on social media he is running as an independent write-in candidate in the general elections. School board: *Alina Gorlova, the current representative Carl (Ketron) Bailey Jr. Tammy Davis picked up a petition but did not return it. Constable: *Tony Robinson, the current District 7 constable Read more about the candidates in the Feb. 19 article "Hawkins Election Commission approves candidates for May 5 primaries." Visit the "Election 2026" page for more coverage.