{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDexter L. Mines is an independent candidate for Montgomery County Sheriff in the Aug. 6, 2026 election, running against Republican Mike Oliver and independent Johnny Ransdell for the open seat [1][2]. He does not support reinstating the county's public online booking log, arguing a booking photo documents an arrest based on probable cause rather than a conviction while transparency about public safety can still be maintained [2].\n\n## Background and career\nMines is a veteran, law enforcement officer, and pastor with more than 30 years across law enforcement, the military, ministry, and public-safety leadership [1]. His career has included service with the Chattanooga Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office ESU unit, and the Greenbrier Police Department, where he served as a school resource officer [1].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nA ClarksvilleNow review of the sheriff candidates' personnel records reported two disciplinary actions for Mines: an April 2016 written warning at Greenbrier PD for \"conduct unbecoming of an officer\" over what he described as inappropriate workplace joking, and an April 2020 one-day P.O.S.T. suspension for failing to maintain harmonious working relationships after remarks about a P.O.S.T. Commission member, which he called a misinterpretation and a learning moment; the review also noted a commendation for a DUI arrest [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Dexter Mines announces candidacy for sheriff of Montgomery County](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/dexter-mines-announces-candidacy-for-sheriff-of-montgomery-county/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Who\u2019s on ballot for Montgomery County mayor, sheriff, commission, School Board](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/whos-on-ballot-for-montgomery-county-mayor-sheriff-commission-school-board/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Warnings, suspensions, commendations: What\u2019s in sheriff candidates\u2019 disciplinary records](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/warnings-suspensions-commendations-whats-in-sheriff-candidates-disciplinary-records/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","county":"Montgomery","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"DEXTER","fullname":"DEXTER L. MINES SR.","lastname":"SR.","middlename":"L. MINES","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Montgomery","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Montgomery","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"I","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Independent candidate for Montgomery County Sheriff in 2026; veteran, pastor, and 30-plus-year officer who served with Chattanooga PD, MCSO ESU, and Greenbrier PD.","terms":[],"token":"XoZefCZku1"}