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Joseph Graham
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Joseph "Joe" Graham is the Republican incumbent Hamilton County commissioner for District 11, covering Lookout Mountain, Lookout Valley, St. Elmo, Alton Park, East Lake, part of Missionary Ridge, and a small section of Brainerd 1. He ran unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary and is seeking a fourth term on the commission 2. He advances to the August 6, 2026 general election in a rematch against Democrat Montrell Besley, a small-business owner who also ran unopposed in his party's primary 13. Graham defeated Besley by a few dozen votes in their first matchup in 2022 1.
Background and education
Graham, 60, has been married to his high school sweetheart for more than 36 years; they have four children and three grandchildren 1.
Office history
Graham was first elected to the Hamilton County Commission in 2010, representing a different seat covering parts of Red Bank, North Chattanooga and Lookout Valley, and served two terms before losing to Democrat David Sharpe in 2018 1. He returned to the commission by winning the newly drawn District 11 seat in 2022 13.
Career
Graham is a local businessman and president of the Lookout Valley Neighborhood Association 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 “Graham”, 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 (“Graham”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Graham”and, if needed, select the applicable position.