{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nPhil Dodd is the Republican incumbent for Rutherford County Commission District 16, first elected in 2014, and is seeking re-election in 2026 [1]. He advanced to face Democrat Cathy Watts in the August 6, 2026 general election [2]. His campaign priorities include \"maintaining a balanced budget,\" \"delivering strong, high-quality schools,\" \"supporting public safety and first responders,\" and \"managing responsible, sustainable growth\" [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nDodd's family has five generations of roots in Rutherford County [1]. He attended Reeves-Rogers Elementary, Central Middle School, and Oakland High School, and went on to Middle Tennessee State University [1].\n\n## Career\n\nDodd has a local business background [1]. He serves as President of the Greenhouse Ministries Board of Directors and volunteers with the youth ministry at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church [1].\n\n## Office history\n\nDodd was first elected to the Rutherford County Commission in 2014 and has served the District 16 seat since [1].\n\n## Family\n\nDodd has been married to Melissa Meagher Dodd for 38 years [1]. They have three sons \u2014 Phillip, Griffin, and Thomas \u2014 a daughter-in-law, Nikki, and a grandson, Davis [1].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Meet Phil Dodd](https://reelectphildodd.com/meet-phil-dodd) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Rutherford County Voters Shake Up Local Leadership In Primary Election](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/99257/rutherford-county-voters-shake-up-local-leadership-in-primary-election) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_16","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commission District 16"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"PHIL","fullname":"PHIL DODD","lastname":"DODD","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_16","contest_title":"County Commission District 16","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_16","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_16","contest_title":"County Commission District 16","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_16","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_16","office_title":"County Commission District 16","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Republican incumbent Rutherford County Commissioner for District 16, first elected in 2014, an Oakland High and MTSU graduate seeking re-election.","terms":[],"token":"ZQFCPGy70W"}