{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJoe Lawson is the Republican nominee for Meigs County Mayor on the August 6, 2026 county-general ballot, challenging incumbent Democratic Mayor Eddie Jewell [1]. Lawson won the Republican nomination in the May 2026 county primary [3].\n\n## Background and education\nLawson has lived in Meigs County his entire life [1].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\nLawson is the owner of Joe's Wrecker Service, a business he has operated for 38 years [1].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nAhead of the 2026 election, members of Lawson's own Republican Party asked the district attorney to investigate whether Lawson was still a resident of Meigs County [2]. District Attorney L. Russell Johnson said he looked into the case and could not find any evidence that Lawson now lives in Hamilton County, as had been alleged [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Candidates qualify for upcoming Meigs County election - Daily Post Athenian](https://www.dailypostathenian.com/news/article_9e1d293c-1706-4188-a622-00c823c54d67.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [No evidence Joe Lawson lives in Hamilton County, DA Johnson says - WDEF](https://www.wdef.com/no-evidence-joe-lawson-lives-in-hamilton-county-da-johnson-says/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [DECISION 2026: Winners in Meigs County's Primary Election - Local 3 News](https://www.local3news.com/local-news/decision/decision-2026-winners-in-meigs-county-s-primary-election/article_d272975f-c706-4455-9230-1a70d094c427.html) - accessed 2026-07-23","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_mayor","county":"Meigs","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Mayor"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"JOE","fullname":"JOE LAWSON","lastname":"LAWSON","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_mayor","contest_title":"County Mayor","county":"Meigs","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_mayor","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_mayor","contest_title":"County Mayor","county":"Meigs","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_mayor","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_mayor","office_title":"County Mayor","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Republican nominee for Meigs County Mayor; lifelong resident and 38-year owner of Joe's Wrecker Service; challenges incumbent Eddie Jewell.","terms":[],"token":"LZZ43xzguy"}