{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRicky C. Skillington is the Lawrence County Commissioner for District 8, covering east Lawrenceburg and the New Prospect community, currently serving his second term [1]. He qualified as an Independent candidate for re-election to that seat ahead of the August 6, 2026 county general election [2].\n\n## Background and education\nSkillington grew up on a farm in Maury County, Tennessee, and graduated from Santa Fe High School, Columbia State Community College, and the University of Tennessee at Martin with a B.S. in Agricultural Education. He later earned a Master's degree in Agricultural Education and Extension from the University of Tennessee, graduating summa cum laude [1].\n\n## Career\nSkillington served as the 4-H Agriculture Agent in Lawrence County from 1979 to 1994, then transferred to Marshall County as County Director, Adult Agriculture Agent, and Regional Small Ruminant Specialist. He retired from the University of Tennessee Extension Service in 2016 and returned to Lawrence County [1]. He is a past president of the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists and received the National County Agents Association's Distinguished Service Award in 2000 [1]. He currently works part-time for Eulan Hooper Auctions and Revitup Outdoors [1].\n\n## Family\nSkillington has been married to the former Kay Shaw for 36 years; they have two children, Charlie (Lyndia) and Ginger, and one grandchild, Lorali [1]. He is active in the Lawrenceburg Rotary Club and the New Prospect Community Club [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Rick Skillington - Lawrence County TN, Government](https://lawrencecountytn.gov/government/commissioners/district-8) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Candidates Qualify to Compete in Upcoming Elections - Main Street Media of Tennessee (Lawrence County Advocate & Democrat)](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/lawrencecountyadvocate/candidates-qualify-to-compete-in-upcoming-elections/) - accessed 2026-07-06","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_8","county":"Lawrence","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commissioner District 8"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"RICKY","fullname":"RICKY C. SKILLINGTON","lastname":"SKILLINGTON","middlename":"C.","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_8","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 8","county":"Lawrence","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_8","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_8","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 8","county":"Lawrence","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_8","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"I","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_8","office_title":"County Commissioner District 8","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Lawrence County Commissioner for District 8 (east Lawrenceburg, New Prospect), second term; retired University of Tennessee Extension agriculture agent running as an Independent in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"6eWq9UQ5Kd"}