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DENNIS "DENNY" GILLESPIE
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Denny Gillespie currently serves as the Lawrence County Commissioner for District 3, representing the southeast corner of the county 1. The seat is on the ballot in Lawrence County's county general election on August 6, 2026 3. Gillespie co-sponsored a county commission resolution as recently as the May 26, 2026 regular session, indicating active current service 4.
Background and education
Gillespie is a native of Lawrence County and has lived in Five Points, in the county's third civil district, his entire life except for his period of military service. He attended Loretto High School, graduating in 1965 1.
Career
Gillespie is a Vietnam-era Navy combat veteran, having served aboard the USS Banner (1966-1967) and subsequently in the "Brown Water Navy" on river boats (1968-1969) 1. He retired from TVA's Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in 2001 and continues to do contract work for nuclear power producers, including TVA. He also farms 1.
Office history
Gillespie is currently serving his sixth term as District 3 Commissioner 12.
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 “GILLESPIE”, 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 (“GILLESPIE”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “GILLESPIE”and, if needed, select the applicable position.