{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJoe Hallums is an independent candidate for White County Executive in the August 6, 2026 general election, running against Republican nominee Kyle Goff and independent Penny Whaley [3][2]. He previously ran for County Executive about four years earlier and was not successful [2]. Hallums describes himself as \"a servant by nature and a conservative, and not a politician,\" and lists his priorities as government transparency, a balanced budget that eliminates \"wasteful spending,\" and workforce development to attract new industry [1].\n\n## Background and education\nHallums has lived in White County for nearly 50 years, moving to Sparta in 1977 with his parents, Van and Ruth [1]. He graduated from White County High School, where he met his wife of 44 years, Laurainda [1].\n\n## Career\nHallums spent more than 35 years in management roles with Thomas Industries (Philips Lighting) and CoLinx, LLC, with responsibilities spanning materials scheduling, inventory control, procurement, purchasing and contract negotiation, and logistics and transportation management [1].\n\n## Family\nHe and Laurainda settled in the Old Zion Community in 1982 and have two children, Nick and April, and four grandchildren [1]. Hallums is an ordained deacon at Indian Mound Baptist Church of Christ [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [County Executive Candidate: Joe Hallums - Main Street Journal](https://www.mainstreetjournal.llc/election-2026-joe-hallums-county-executive-candidate/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Goff Wins GOP Nomination for White County Executive - Main Street Journal](https://www.mainstreetjournal.llc/goff-wins-white-county-executive-primary/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [White County Election Guide: Who's Running in August - Main Street Journal](https://www.mainstreetjournal.llc/white-county-august-election-candidates-guide/) - accessed 2026-07-23","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_executive","county":"White","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Executive"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Joe","fullname":"Joe Hallums","lastname":"Hallums","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_executive","contest_title":"County Executive","county":"White","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_executive","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_executive","contest_title":"County Executive","county":"White","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_executive","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"I","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_executive","office_title":"County Executive","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Independent candidate for White County Executive; 35+ years in manufacturing management; lifelong Sparta resident who also ran for the office in 2022.","terms":[],"token":"DqWg9qF1BF"}