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Gary Stidham
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Gary Stidham is a Sullivan County Commissioner and Republican candidate seeking the Tennessee House of Representatives District 2 seat in the 2026 election 13. He filed paperwork to run for the district, which is currently held by Republican Representative Bud Hulsey, who announced his retirement at the end of his term 13. Stidham praised Hulsey’s service, noting his passion for the conservative cause and integrity 3.
Stidham self-describes as a U.S. Navy veteran with a 20-year career during which he managed the maintenance of nuclear submarine reactors and led nearly 300 personnel 12. He holds a Top Secret Clearance and served as an American Legion District Commander, holding 17 posts and representing 62,000 veterans 2. Additionally, he established Sullivan County's Veterans Service Office and spearheaded the creation of a Veterans Memorial Park 2.
Prior to his current political role, Stidham spent 22 years as a Junior ROTC instructor and taught high school government 2. He was raised in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia and married his high school sweetheart, Molly, who retired after working in Christian education for 30 years 2. The couple worships at Lighthouse Church 2.
Background and education
Gary Stidham was raised in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia 2. He married his high school sweetheart, Molly, who retired after working in Christian education for 30 years 2. The couple worships at Lighthouse Church 2.
Stidham served a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy, where he managed the maintenance of nuclear submarine reactors and led nearly 300 personnel 12. His military service included holding a Top Secret Clearance 2.
Career
Gary Stidham served a 20-year career in the U.S. Navy, during which he managed the maintenance of nuclear submarine reactors and led nearly 300 personnel 12. He held a Top Secret Clearance while in service 2. Following his military service, Stidham worked as an educator for more than two decades, serving as a Junior ROTC instructor for 22 years and teaching high school government 12.
Stidham is a veteran of the American Legion, where he served as a former District Commander holding 17 posts and representing 62,000 veterans 2. He established Sullivan County's Veterans Service Office and spearheaded the creation of the Veterans Memorial Park 2.
Office history
Gary Stidham served as a Sullivan County Commissioner 1. He is a U.S. Navy veteran who spent two decades managing the maintenance of nuclear submarine reactors and leading nearly 300 personnel 1. During his military career, he held a Top Secret Clearance and led 290 personnel 2.
Stidham served as a JROTC instructor for 22 years and taught high school government 2. He also has more than 20 years of experience teaching Junior ROTC and high school subjects 1.
In the past, Stidham held leadership roles within the American Legion, serving as a former District Commander with oversight of 17 posts and 62,000 veterans 2. He established Sullivan County's Veterans Service Office and spearheaded the creation of the Veterans Memorial Park 2.
Stidham announced his bid for the Tennessee House District 2 seat, which was then held by Republican Rep. Bud Hulsey 1. Hulsey had announced that he would retire after his term 3. Stidham picked up the paperwork to run for the District 2 seat as a Republican 3.
Family
Stidham was raised in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia 2. He married his high school sweetheart, Molly, who retired after working in Christian education for 30 years 2. The couple worships at Lighthouse Church 2.
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 — Sullivan County campaign finance (COUNTY COMMISSION)
- 1st Quarter 2026 — filed 04/10/26
- Year-End Supplemental 15 Jan 2026 — filed 02/04/26
- Mid-Year Supplemental 2025 — filed 07/15/25
- 2024 Year End Supplemental — filed 01/31/25
- Primary 2026 — filed 01/29/25
- Mid-Year 2024 — filed 07/15/24
- End of Year Supplemental 2023 — filed 01/28/24
- 4th Quarter 2022 — filed 01/23/23
- 3rd Quarter 2022 — filed 10/11/22
- Pre-General 2022 — filed 07/28/22
- 2nd Quarter 2022 — filed 07/11/22
- Pre Primary 2022 — filed 04/26/22
- 1st Quarter 2022 — filed 04/11/22
- Year End Supplemental — filed 02/05/22
- Treasurer Appointment 2022 — filed 01/18/22
- Mid Year Supplemental — filed 07/17/21
- Year-End Campaign Financial — filed 02/03/21
- Mid Year 2020 — filed 07/20/20
- Year End Supplemental — filed 01/28/20
- Mid Year — filed 07/17/19
- 4th Quarter Financial Disclosure — filed 01/23/19
- 3rd Campaign Financial Disclosure — filed 10/10/18
- Pre-General Campaign Financial Disclosure — filed 07/26/18
- 2nd QuarterCampaign Financial Disclosure — filed 07/10/18
- Campaign Financial Disclosure — filed 04/24/18
- First Quarter 2018 Campaign Financial Disclosure — filed 04/10/18
- Treasurer Appointment — filed 02/23/18
- Campaign Financial Disclosure — filed 01/30/18
- Treasurer Appointment — filed 11/16/17
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 “Stidham”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below.
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Stidham”and, if needed, select the applicable position.