{"biography":"Karl Smithson is an independent candidate running for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election [20]. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, following a primary on August 6, 2026 [11].\n\n## Sources\n\n[2] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n[3] [Go Vote! Knoxville - City of Knoxville](https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/residents/newcomer_information/election_information)\n[7] [Marsha Blackburn, John Rose, dozens of others to run for governor - Nashville Banner](https://nashvillebanner.com/2026/03/11/governor-tennessee-candidates-marsha-blackburn-john-rose/)\n[8] [Who\u2019s Running for Governor of Tennessee in 2026? Full Candidate Field, Analysis, and What It Means](https://redstatebluevoter.substack.com/p/who-wants-to-govern-tennessee)\n[9] [Election Commission - Knox County Tennessee Government](https://www.knoxcounty.org/election/)\n[10] [Tennessee's 2026 candidate lists finalized for state and federal races \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tennessees-2026-candidate-lists-finalized-for-state-and-federal-races/)\n[11] [2026 Elections - Election Commission - Knox County Tennessee Government](https://www.knoxcounty.org/election/election_schedule_2026.php)\n[12] [2026 Knox County Democratic Candidates | Explore their platforms and get involved \u2014 The Knox County Democratic Party](https://knoxvilledemocrats.org/countycandidates-26)\n[13] [Upcoming Elections & Candidates | Get Election Updates Today \u2014 The Knox County Democratic Party](https://knoxvilledemocrats.org/upcoming-elections-candidates)\n[14] [2026 Tennessee & Federal Democratic Candidates | Explore their platforms and get involved \u2014 The Knox County Democratic Party](https://knoxvilledemocrats.org/federal-state-candidates-2026)\n[17] [Meet Knox County Commission candidates: District 10 & 11 - Knox TN Today](https://www.knoxtntoday.com/meet-knox-county-commission-candidates-district-10-11/)\n[18] [Financial Disclosures - Election Commission - Knox County Tennessee Government](https://www.knoxcounty.org/election/candidate_info/index.php)\n[19] [2026 Elections: Guide to All 40+ Offices on the Ballot \u2014 The Knox County Democratic Party](https://knoxvilledemocrats.org/2026electoralcandidates)\n[20] [Tennessee 2026 Elections: Candidates for Governor, Senate & House | Politics1](https://politics1.com/tn.htm)","campaigns":[{"contest":"governor","county":"Anderson","county_count":95,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"Tennessee Governor"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Karl Knox","fullname":"Karl Knox Smithson","lastname":"Smithson","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"governor","contest_title":"Tennessee Governor","county":"Anderson","county_count":95,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"governor","office_title":"Governor","party":"I","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"I","primary":{"contest":"governor","contest_title":"Tennessee Governor","county":"Anderson","county_count":95,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"governor","office_title":"Governor","party":"I","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"governor","office_title":"Governor","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Independent candidate Karl Smithson is running for Governor of Tennessee in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"7BzWpJUmj8"}