{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nJo Williams is an independent candidate running for Anderson County School Board, District 1, in the August 6, 2026 election [16]. She is the incumbent seeking to retain her seat [16].\n\nWilliams currently serves as vice-chairman of the school board, having previously held the position of chairman [16]. Her tenure includes recognition as a Master School Board Member, an All-Tennessee School Board member, and a Tennessee School Board Association Ambassador [16]. She has stated that she has not missed a graduation exercise since joining the board [16].\n\nIn her campaign materials, Williams emphasizes her background in policy development and board leadership as key qualifications for decision-making regarding school safety, academic progress, and system-wide future planning [16]. She cites the growth of STEM and STEAM programs within Anderson County Schools and the planned opening of a new Claxton Elementary School by August 2027 as examples of meaningful academic progress during her service [16]. Williams describes her approach as prioritizing attendance at student events, including awards programs, field days, open houses, sporting events, and graduations, to remain present for students and families [16].\n\n## Sources\n\n[16] [The Courier News](https://mycouriernews.com/articles/2026/06/11194/jo-williams-is-running-to-retain-district-1-seat-on-county-school-board-seat) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-03\n","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_1","county":"Anderson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"School Board District 1"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Jo","fullname":"Jo Williams","lastname":"Williams","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_1","contest_title":"School Board District 1","county":"Anderson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_school_board_district_1","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board_district_1","contest_title":"School Board District 1","county":"Anderson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_school_board_district_1","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"I","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_school_board_district_1","office_title":"School Board District 1","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Independent candidate for Anderson County Board of Education, District 1, on the August 6, 2026 county general election ballot.","terms":[],"token":"XOm39QPGMf"}