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PATRICK R. RAY
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Patrick R. Ray is the Republican nominee for DeKalb County Mayor in the August 6, 2026 county general election, running against Democrat Beth Pafford and independent Brandon Bates to succeed retiring County Mayor Matt Adcock 1. Ray was unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary 2. Announcing his campaign in August 2025, he said that while his law-enforcement career is "nearing the end," his "desire for public service has not," and listed economic and workforce development, education, solid waste management, public safety, growth planning, and government efficiency among his priorities 3.
Office history
Ray was first elected DeKalb County Sheriff in 2006 and is completing his fifth and final term as sheriff, which ends August 31, 2026 34. The next county mayor takes office September 1, 2026 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)
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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 “RAY”, 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 (“RAY”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “RAY”and, if needed, select the applicable position.