{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMarcus Whaley is the Republican nominee for Sevier County Commission, District 7, Seat A, on the August 6, 2026 general-election ballot, where he faces independent candidate Drew Kyker [1]. He became the nominee after winning a Sevier County Republican Party caucus called to replace Commissioner Ronnie Wade Allen, who had won the May primary but died; 34 party members attended, and Whaley was selected on the first ballot [1].\n\n## Career and business interests\nWhaley owns WC Whaley Engineering and Surveying [1]. He said he had considered running for the commission previously but had not wanted to run against Allen, and decided to seek the seat once it was vacant [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Whaley wins GOP caucus for 7th District - The Mountain Press](https://www.themountainpress.com/news/whaley-wins-gop-caucus-for-7th-district/article_284c7c21-5a6d-535f-9962-fd52b1ccf949.html) - accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_7","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commissioner District 7, Seat A"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Marcus","fullname":"Marcus Glen Whaley","lastname":"Whaley","middlename":"Glen","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_7","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 7, Seat A","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_7","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_7","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 7, Seat A","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_7","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_7","office_title":"County Commissioner District 7, Seat A","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Marcus Whaley, owner of an engineering and surveying firm, is the Republican nominee for Sevier County Commission District 7 after winning a party caucus to replace a nominee who died.","terms":[],"token":"7XgfQT1SSe"}