{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nGage Schmid is the Democratic nominee for Sevier County Commission, District 2, Seat B, and faces incumbent Republican Don McGill in the August 6, 2026 general election [2][3]. He was unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary, receiving 48 votes [3].\n\n## Background and career\nSchmid describes himself as a Sevier County native, small-business owner, and political strategist [3]. His campaign emphasizes \"putting locals first\" and \"fighting for the soul of the Smokies,\" strengthening public schools, making the county affordable for working families, and planning for future generations, with what he calls \"a thoughtful, transparent, and practical approach to the Sevier County Commission\" [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Gage Schmid for Sevier County Commission (campaign site)](https://www.schmidforsevier.com/) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Sevier County May 5, 2026 Sample Ballot (Democratic Primary)](https://www.wate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2026/04/Sevier-May-2026-Sample-Ballot.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Three new faces coming to county commission - The Mountain Press](https://www.themountainpress.com/news/three-new-faces-coming-to-county-commission/article_af4bad31-de4b-527c-8916-acba31d00c77.html) - accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_2_seat_b","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commissioner District 2, Seat B"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Gage","fullname":"Gage Schmid","lastname":"Schmid","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_2_seat_b","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 2, Seat B","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_2_seat_b","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_2_seat_b","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 2, Seat B","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_2_seat_b","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"D","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_2_seat_b","office_title":"County Commissioner District 2, Seat B","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Gage Schmid is a Sevier County native and small-business owner running as the Democratic nominee for County Commission District 2 against incumbent Don McGill.","terms":[],"token":"XLUhVwMUeD"}