{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMark S. Stapleton is a Rogersville attorney serving as interim Circuit Court Judge for Tennessee's Third Judicial District, Part II \u2014 covering Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties \u2014 after being appointed by Republican Governor Bill Lee on April 28, 2026 to fill the vacancy created when Judge William E. Phillips II was elevated to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section [1][2]. Stapleton is running as an Independent to hold the seat in the August 6, 2026 general election against Greeneville attorney Crystal Jessee [2]. He describes his judicial philosophy as one of \"judicial restraint and integrity\" and pledges to decide cases based on \"the original intent of the law\"; he self-identifies as a lifelong conservative [3].\n\n## Background and education\nStapleton, 63, is a lifelong East Tennessean [2]. He is married to Julianne and has children and grandchildren in the area [3]. He earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1985 and his Juris Doctor from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama in 1989, and was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1990 [4][5]. He also holds a master's-level advanced degree (LL.M.) in health law [5].\n\n## Career\nStapleton founded Stapleton Law Office, P.C. in Rogersville in 1997 and has practiced law for more than 35 years, concentrating in personal injury, criminal defense and insurance defense [5]. He has represented other attorneys in their own personal-injury matters, and has represented chiropractors, dentists, pharmacists and nurses in litigation including breach-of-contract claims and in defense before their respective disciplinary boards [5]. Stapleton is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, has been named to the Tennessee Super Lawyers list, and speaks frequently at continuing legal-education events [4][5]. According to his firm, its practice has obtained the highest jury verdict for a personal-injury case in Hawkins County, in excess of seven figures [5].\n\n## Office history\nStapleton took office as interim Circuit Court Judge, Third Judicial District, Part II following his April 28, 2026 appointment by Governor Lee and is serving in that role through the August 6, 2026 general election [1][2].\n\n## Family\nStapleton is married to Julianne and has children and grandchildren living in East Tennessee [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Stapleton sworn in as new Circuit Court justice \u2014 Rogersville Review](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/covid19/article_ad809f6e-b9bb-423e-81b8-bb99ae71dffe.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[2] [Stapleton appointed Circuit Court Judge for 4 counties, including Greene \u2014 Greeneville Sun](https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/stapleton-appointed-circuit-court-judge-for-4-counties-including-greene/article_9809c4b8-174a-4928-b226-875e4c584e2c.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[3] [Vote | Mark Stapleton for Circuit Court Judge \u2014 campaign site](https://www.stapletonforjudge.com/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[4] [Judge Mark S. Stapleton \u2014 Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts](https://tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/mark-s-stapleton) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[5] [About Stapleton Law Office \u2014 stapletonlawoffice.com](https://www.stapletonlawoffice.com/about/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18","campaigns":[{"contest":"circuit_court_judge_part_2_district_3_unexpired","county":"Hawkins","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"Circuit Court Judge Part Ii District 3"},{"contest":"circuit_court_part_2_district_3_unexpired","county":"Hamblen","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"Circuit Court Judge Part Ii District 3"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"MARK","fullname":"MARK STEPHEN STAPLETON","lastname":"STAPLETON","middlename":"STEPHEN","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"circuit_court_judge_part_2_district_3_unexpired","contest_title":"Circuit Court Judge Part Ii District 3","county":"Hawkins","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"circuit_court_part_2_district_3","office_title":"Circuit Court Judge, Part II, 3rd Judicial District","party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},{"contest":"circuit_court_part_2_district_3_unexpired","contest_title":"Circuit Court Judge Part Ii District 3","county":"Hamblen","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"circuit_court_part_2_district_3","office_title":"Circuit Court Judge, Part II, 3rd Judicial District","party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"circuit_court_part_2_district_3_unexpired","contest_title":"Circuit Court Judge Part Ii District 3","county":"Hamblen","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"circuit_court_part_2_district_3","office_title":"Circuit Court Judge, Part II, 3rd Judicial District","party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"I","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"circuit_court_part_2_district_3","office_title":"Circuit Court Judge, Part II, 3rd Judicial District","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Rogersville trial attorney of 35+ years appointed interim 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge (Part II) by Gov. Bill Lee in April 2026; running as an Independent to hold the seat.","terms":[],"token":"ZNvKWziCac"}