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Matt Rhea
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Matt Rhea is the incumbent Fayette County Commissioner for District 1, Position 1 (Somerville), and a Republican candidate for re-election in 2026 4. He won a contested May 5, 2026 Republican primary, defeating Dean Clouse 127 votes to 58 (68.65% to 31.35%) 2. No Democratic candidate qualified for the race, leaving Rhea unopposed for the August 6, 2026 Fayette County general election 2.
Background and education
Rhea has family roots in Fayette County: he was listed as a casket bearer at the 2007 funeral of William A. "Bill" Rhea, Jr., described as a "native Fayette Countian and United States Veteran," and is identified in the obituary as a grandchild of William A. Rhea, Sr. and Jessie Scott Rhea 3. No source establishes any relation between Matt Rhea and fellow 2026 Fayette County Commission candidate Dave Rhea (District 2, Position 1); the two should not be assumed related.
Office history
Rhea currently serves as Fayette County Commissioner for District 1 4.
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 “Rhea”, 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 (“Rhea”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Rhea”and, if needed, select the applicable position.