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JOHN DALE SWEENEY
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
John Dale Sweeney is an independent candidate for Bedford County Sheriff in the August 6, 2026 county general election, an open seat created by the retirement of longtime Sheriff Austin Swing 14.
Background
Sweeney was born in Hope, Arkansas - where his family had relocated for work - and returned to Bedford County at age five 1. He credits family support and community mentors, describing Ray Lyons as a personal hero who taught him work ethic and "to treat everyone the same, no matter what ethnic background" 1.
Career
Sweeney joined the Bedford County Sheriff's Office as a corrections officer in 2011, became a court/warrants officer in 2013, moved to the patrol division in 2014, and then to the Criminal Investigations Division, earning the rank of sergeant in 2018 and lieutenant over Criminal Investigations in 2021 1. He is a graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, the TBI State Academy and SWAT school, with additional training in internet crimes against children, child-abduction response and drug-related-death investigation 1.
Family
Sweeney and his wife, Ann, are raising their family in Bedford County 1.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “SWEENEY”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“SWEENEY”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “SWEENEY”and, if needed, select the applicable position.