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DAVID W. LINKOUS
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
David W. Linkous is the Republican nominee for Hawkins County Mayor on the August 6, 2026 ballot, running unopposed after winning a four-way GOP primary in May 2026 12. Linkous, described in local coverage as a local businessman and a frequent attendee and commenter at County Commission meetings, ran a door-to-door campaign focused on business attraction, children's welfare, public safety, and roadway improvements, with a stated vision that boils down to one word: "prosperity" 134. He has also said he wants to help preserve farmland and keep the county's "small community character" while preparing for the next generation 4.
Office history
Linkous defeated incumbent Mayor Mark DeWitte in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, taking 2,957 votes (about 35.7%) in a four-way field; Keith Gibson finished second with 2,078, DeWitte third with 2,005, and Kenneth Stapleton fourth with 1,235 123. Linkous carried early voting by roughly 500 votes and held that margin through election day 1. With no Democratic or independent challenger filed, he is expected to be certified as Hawkins County's next mayor after the August 6 general election 12.
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 “LINKOUS”, 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 (“LINKOUS”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “LINKOUS”and, if needed, select the applicable position.