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JAMES RONNIE SKELTON
Editorial note — same-name confusion. This candidate, James "Ryan" Skelton of Lewis County, is not the same person as a similarly surnamed Wayne County, Tennessee pastor and businessman who sought a state legislative seat in the same cycle. They are different individuals; this profile is about the Lewis County mayoral candidate.
Current office and 2026 campaign
James "Ryan" Skelton is the Republican nominee for Lewis County Mayor on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot, facing independent candidate Shane Blackwood 12. In the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, Skelton defeated incumbent Mayor Jonah Keltner by 86 votes, receiving 1,527 votes (51.45%) to Keltner's 1,441 (48.55%) 1. Skelton has said transparency is important to him and that he wants a strong working relationship with county employees and residents; he has pledged accountability, describing himself as not the "kick the can down the road" type 2. On county finances, he has said raising taxes should not be the first answer and that county government should operate efficiently, cut waste, and ensure existing dollars are used responsibly before asking taxpayers for more 2.
Background and education
Skelton has said he has called Lewis County home his entire life, that he was born at Lewis County Hospital, and that the county, its people, and its way of life are part of who he is 2.
Further candidate material (not accessible for this profile)
- Meet the Lewis County Mayoral Candidates - Lewis County Herald (publisher blocks automated access; biographical facts above drawn from indexed excerpts, not the full article)
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 “SKELTON”, 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 (“SKELTON”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “SKELTON”and, if needed, select the applicable position.