{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nLekeshia Angelique Hicks is the Democratic candidate for Montgomery County Commission District 9 in the Aug. 6, 2026 election, challenging incumbent Republican Jorge Padro Jr. [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\nHicks is a retired U.S. Army major and a 15-year resident of Montgomery County [1]. She is completing a doctorate at Austin Peay State University, with research focused on workforce policy and education systems [1].\n\n## Career\nAs an Army human-resources officer, Hicks led personnel operations, managed budgets, and developed workforce systems before retiring at the rank of major [1]. She serves as vice president of training and development for the Black Clarksville Business Group and is founder of Lekeshia Angelique Consulting [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Lekeshia Hicks running for Montgomery County Commission, District 9](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/lekeshia-hicks-running-for-montgomery-county-commission-district-9/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Who\u2019s on ballot for Montgomery County mayor, sheriff, commission, School Board](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/whos-on-ballot-for-montgomery-county-mayor-sheriff-commission-school-board/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_9","county":"Montgomery","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commission District 9"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"LEKESHIA","fullname":"LEKESHIA A. HICKS","lastname":"HICKS","middlename":"A.","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_9","contest_title":"County Commission District 9","county":"Montgomery","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_9","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_9","contest_title":"County Commission District 9","county":"Montgomery","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_9","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"D","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_9","office_title":"County Commission District 9","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Democratic candidate for Montgomery County Commission District 9 in 2026; retired Army major, consultant, and APSU doctoral candidate.","terms":[],"token":"KZ34SNeRCw"}