{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nSean Tyler Gilliland is the Democratic nominee for Rutherford County Commission District 17 in the August 6, 2026 county general election, running for an open seat against Republican Terry Hodge.[2][1] His campaign priorities include opposing expansion of the Middle Point Landfill, developing a realistic long-term county solid-waste plan, and pursuing more sustainable growth.[1] He has said, \"I'm running because I believe Rutherford County needs thoughtful leadership that listens to citizens, cares about our neighbors, plans for the future.\"[1]\n\n## Background and education\nGilliland has lived in Rutherford County since 1994 and resides in the Scottland Acres community.[1]\n\n## Career\nGilliland served 15 years as Chief Information Officer for Primary Care and Hope Clinic, and previously spent 15 years as a field representative for U.S. Congressman Bart Gordon, assisting constituents with federal services.[1] He has been active in civic and faith organizations, including St. Mark's United Methodist Church, where he has served as administrative board chair and worship leader, and spent nearly two decades with Main Street Murfreesboro, including two terms as board chair. He received the 2024 Doug Young Downtown Leadership Award.[1]\n\n## Family\nGilliland lives with his wife, Anne; their daughter, Molly, attended local schools and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University.[1]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Gilliland Announces Candidacy for Rutherford County Commission, District 17 \u2014 WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/97844/gilliland-announces-candidacy-for-rutherford-county-commission-district-17) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Election Deadline: Who Qualified for 2026 RuCo Primary \u2014 WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/97847/election-deadline-who-qualified-for-2026-ruco-primary) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Candidate announcement: Sean Gilliland for county commissioner \u2014 Murfreesboro Post](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/murfreesboropost/candidate-announcement-sean-gilliland-for-county-commissioner/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_17","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commission District 17"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"SEAN","fullname":"SEAN TYLER GILLILAND","lastname":"GILLILAND","middlename":"TYLER","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_17","contest_title":"County Commission District 17","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_17","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_17","contest_title":"County Commission District 17","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_17","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"D","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_17","office_title":"County Commission District 17","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Democratic nominee for Rutherford County Commission District 17; former hospital-clinic CIO and longtime aide to U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon.","terms":[],"token":"Bder3thu6g"}