{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nEric W. Sawyers is the Republican candidate for Carroll County Sheriff on the August 6, 2026 ballot [1][3]. The seat is open because incumbent Sheriff Andy Dickson is not seeking re-election [3]. Sawyers advanced from a three-way Republican field that also included Joel Pate and Timothy W. Pratt; two independents, Ryan White and Michael A. Smith, also appear on the August ballot [3]. He describes his top priorities as \"public safety, fighting crime and aggressively targeting drug dealers who threaten our communities,\" along with additional school patrols, fiscal discipline in managing county resources, and pursuing grants to reduce the burden on taxpayers [1]. He says his leadership will be \"visible, involved and accessible,\" with accountability beginning at the top [1]. At a June 30, 2026 candidate forum he said his highest priority is \"building trust in Carroll County... between the people and law enforcement,\" adding that he has \"campaigned on being a sheriff for the people\" [2].\n\n## Background and education\nSawyers is a fifth-generation Carroll Countian and a graduate of Huntingdon High School [1].\n\n## Career\nSawyers began his law enforcement career at age 19 as a reserve deputy and was hired full-time at 23 [1]. Over about 25 years he has served in roles including Patrol Deputy, Shift Sergeant, Firearms Instructor, Evidence Custodian, and Criminal Investigator [1].\n\n## Family\nSawyers and his wife, Rachel, have been married 16 years and are raising two teenage sons on their family farm in Carroll County [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Meet Eric Sawyers - Carroll County Sheriff Candidate - The McKenzie Banner](https://www.mckenziebanner.com/stories/meet-eric-sawyers) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Carroll County sheriff candidates outline priorities at community forum - WBBJ](https://www.wbbjtv.com/2026/07/01/carroll-county-sheriff-candidates-outline-priorities-community-forum/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Carroll County's 2026 Ballot Is Set - Carroll County Observer](https://carrollobserver.com/2026-carroll-county-election-candidates/) - accessed 2026-07-23","campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","county":"Carroll","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Eric","fullname":"Eric W. Sawyers","lastname":"Sawyers","middlename":"W.","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Carroll","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Carroll","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Republican candidate for Carroll County Sheriff (open seat). Fifth-generation Carroll Countian and ~25-year deputy; ran as a \"sheriff for the people.\"","terms":[],"token":"WKKhubqhI3"}