{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nWendell Jackson is an independent candidate running for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election [1]. He officially declared his candidacy for the general election, which is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026 [1]. The primary election for this race will occur on August 6, 2026 [2].\n\nJackson\u2019s campaign operates as a nonpartisan effort advocating for the constitution, with the candidate stating that it is a \"no money campaign\" [3]. His platform emphasizes enhanced employment services, housing stability, and healthcare access for all residents [3]. Jackson aims to create jobs and support local businesses while improving the overall quality of life in Tennessee [3].\n\nThe filing deadline for candidates to submit petitions with at least 25 signatures from registered voters was March 10, 2026 [5]. Political parties had until noon on March 17 to determine the bona fide status of candidates [4]. Jackson is listed among the candidates running in the general election for Governor of Tennessee [1].\n\n## Career\n\nWendell Jackson is running for Governor of Tennessee as an independent candidate in the 2026 election [1]. His campaign platform centers on seeking employment opportunities for Tennesseans, with stated goals to enhance employment services, ensure housing stability, and provide healthcare for all residents [3]. Jackson describes his campaign as nonpartisan and constitution-focused, operating without monetary contributions [3]. He qualified for the ballot by submitting a petition with at least 25 signatures from registered voters by the March 10, 2026 deadline [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nWendell Jackson has held no prior elected or appointed public office [1]. He is an independent candidate who declared his candidacy for Governor of Tennessee in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026 [1]. The primary election for this race occurred on August 6, 2026, and the general election is set for November 3, 2026 [2]. Jackson qualified for the ballot by submitting a petition with at least 25 signatures from registered voters by the March 10, 2026 deadline [5].\n\nJackson self-describes his campaign as nonpartisan and constitution-advocating, stating that he aims to enhance employment services, housing stability, and healthcare for all while strengthening community quality of life [3]. He has not held previous office terms or represented a specific legislative district in the past.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Wendell Jackson - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Wendell_Jackson)\n[2] [Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_gubernatorial_election,_2026)\n[3] [Wendell Jackson for Tennessee Governor 2026 - Employment Solutions](https://www.wendelljackson4tngov2026.com/)\n[4] [Who has filed to run for governor in Tennessee?](https://www.wate.com/news/election-news/who-has-filed-to-run-for-governor-in-tennessee/)\n[5] [Who has filed to run for governor in Tennessee?](https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/tn-gov-candidates-2026/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"governor","county":"Anderson","county_count":95,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"Tennessee Governor"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Wendell","fullname":"Wendell Jackson","lastname":"Jackson","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"governor","contest_title":"Tennessee Governor","county":"Anderson","county_count":95,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"governor","office_title":"Governor","party":"I","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"I","primary":{"contest":"governor","contest_title":"Tennessee Governor","county":"Anderson","county_count":95,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"governor","office_title":"Governor","party":"I","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"governor","office_title":"Governor","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Wendell Jackson is an independent candidate running for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election.","terms":[],"token":"LqeFh4zVfF"}