{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nWarren N. Hurst is the incumbent Republican Sevier County Commissioner for District 1, Seat A, and is unopposed in the Republican primary for re-election [1][3]. On the August 6, 2026 county general ballot, the District 1 seats also draw independent candidates [3].\n\n## Office history\nHurst has represented Sevier County's 1st District on the county commission for multiple terms and held the seat at the time of his widely reported 2019 remarks [2][4].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nAt an October 21, 2019 Sevier County Commission meeting, Hurst said: \"It's time folks that we wake up. It's been time... we've got a queer running for president in this country, if that ain't about as ugly as you can get.\" He added, \"I'm not prejudiced, but by golly a white male in this country has very few rights, and they're getting took more every day.\" [2][4] The comments drew national criticism. Assistant Sevier County Mayor Perrin Anderson said the statements did not reflect the opinion or position of the Sevier County administration, and Tennessee Democratic Party chair Mary Mancini said, \"If Commissioner Hurst can't be a more responsible leader, then he must resign.\" [2]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Sevier County Commissioners directory](https://www.seviercountytn.gov/government/county_officials/county_commissioners/index.php) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Comments by Tennessee county commissioner drawing sharp criticism - NewsChannel 9](https://newschannel9.com/news/local/comments-by-tennessee-county-commissioner-drawing-sharp-criticism) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Sevier County May 5, 2026 Sample Ballot (Republican Primary)](https://www.wate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2026/04/Sevier-May-2026-Sample-Ballot.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[4] [Homophobic comments by Sevier County commissioner drawing sharp criticism - WATE](https://www.wate.com/news/top-stories/comments-by-sevier-county-commissioner-drawing-sharp-criticism/) - accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_1","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commissioner District 1, Seat A"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Warren","fullname":"Warren Hurst","lastname":"Hurst","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_1","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 1, Seat A","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_1","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 1, Seat A","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":"County Commissioner District 1, Seat A","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Warren Hurst is the longtime Republican Sevier County commissioner for District 1 who drew national criticism for anti-gay and racial remarks at a 2019 county meeting.","terms":[],"token":"Tum9LVGkEy"}