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JOE E. SHULTS
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Joe E. Shults is the Republican nominee for Cocke County Mayor in the August 6, 2026 county general election, where he faces independent candidate Chad Burchette 12. A political newcomer, Shults won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, defeating incumbent Mayor Rob Mathis 3,733 votes to 2,724 1. He campaigned on recruiting jobs and industry to the county and raised questions about a recent county zoning vote 3. His campaign platform is framed as an eight-year strategic plan covering financial stabilization and transparency, industry and job recruitment, infrastructure and broadband, workforce and vocational training, public safety, environmental protection, and youth leadership development 4. After the primary he said, "Tonight, the people of Cocke County chose a new direction. I'm humbled by their trust, grateful for every vote and ready to get to work delivering the leadership and results our county deserves" 1.
Background and education
Shults describes himself as born and raised in Cocke County 4.
Career
Shults is a business owner and real estate appraiser who says he has built and operated multiple businesses in Cocke County over 38 years 4. He has held leadership roles with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), serving nine years as vice president and six years as president of the organization's Tennessee State Chapter 4. He currently serves on the NWTF National Board of Directors as chair of its Audit Committee and on its Finance, By-Law, and Building committees, and reports 15 years on a Tennessee state committee focused on environmental and habitat funding 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 “SHULTS”, 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 (“SHULTS”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “SHULTS”and, if needed, select the applicable position.