{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJohn 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 [1][4].\n\n## Background\nSweeney 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].\n\n## Career\nSweeney 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].\n\n## Family\nSweeney and his wife, Ann, are raising their family in Bedford County [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [John Sweeney: A Lifetime of Making A Difference - Good News Exchange (Shelbyville)](https://goodnewsmags.com/shelbyville/john-sweeney-a-lifetime-of-making-a-difference/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[4] [After 50 Years, Bedford County Sheriff Austin Swing leaves a Legacy - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/94304/after-50-years-bedford-county-sheriff-austin-swing-leaves-a-legacy-of-reform-and-compassion) - accessed 2026-07-23","campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff_unexpired","county":"Bedford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"JOHN","fullname":"JOHN DALE SWEENEY","lastname":"SWEENEY","middlename":"DALE","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff_unexpired","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Bedford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"sheriff_unexpired","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Bedford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"I","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Detective lieutenant in the Bedford County Sheriff's Office, running as an independent for sheriff in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"1TpTQLEEMm"}