←All People
NIKIA ELLIOTT
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Nikia Elliott is the Republican nominee for Bedford County Sheriff in the August 6, 2026 county general election; the seat is open because longtime Sheriff Austin Swing is retiring rather than seeking re-election 14. Elliott's platform centers on "compassionate policing," including autism-specific law-enforcement training, a zone-based patrol model to improve response times, investment in modern equipment, mental-health support for first responders, and a combined approach to drug prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation 1.
Background
A lifelong Bedford County resident and second-generation law-enforcement officer, Elliott is the father of a son with autism, an experience he says has shaped his policing priorities 1.
Career
Elliott has more than 25 years in law enforcement and currently serves as Chief Deputy of the Bedford County Sheriff's Office, with over six years in executive leadership overseeing more than 120 employees across patrol, corrections and administration 1. He has worked in nearly every division, including SWAT and investigations, led the department through Tennessee Tier 1 Accreditation, and reports a 4% recidivism rate through inmate-rehabilitation programs 1.
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)
-
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 “ELLIOTT”, 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 (“ELLIOTT”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “ELLIOTT”and, if needed, select the applicable position.