{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJames \"Jimmy\" Morris is the incumbent Bledsoe County Sheriff, a Republican, seeking re-election in the August 6, 2026 county general election against Independent challenger Clint Holloway [1]. In a 2026 candidate questionnaire he pointed to expanded drug enforcement, including a narcotics-agent position secured through the county commission, additional drug-detection K-9s with a handler in training, and increased drug arrests; he also called for expanded mental-health-response training for deputies beyond annual requirements [2]. On recruitment and retention he noted that state academy training is provided at no cost to recruits and described Bledsoe County as a competitive place to work compared with surrounding counties [2].\n\n## Office history\nMorris has served as Bledsoe County Sheriff for about two decades and was most recently re-elected in 2022; in the 2026 questionnaire he referenced \"20 years as sheriff\" [1][2].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nIn November 2012, while serving as sheriff, Morris was arrested in Dunlap, Tennessee and charged with disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor, after Dunlap police responded to a fight in the parking lot of a Huddle House restaurant; two other men were also charged in the incident [3]. His attorney said Morris intended to contest the charge [3]. The arrest prompted local reaction, with residents expressing differing views on whether it should bear on his office, and the county mayor stated that no statute required county action absent direction from the court [4]. The final disposition of the charge was not reported in the sources reviewed.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Friday marks beginning of early voting - The Bledsonian-Banner](https://www.thebledsonian-banner.com/2026/07/14/friday-marks-beginning-of-early-voting/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Sheriff candidates respond to questions - The Bledsonian-Banner](https://www.thebledsonian-banner.com/2026/07/21/sheriff-candidates-respond-to-questions/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Bledsoe County Sheriff James \"Jimmy\" Morris arrested - Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/nov/26/bledsoe-sheriff-arrested/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[4] [Bledsoe Co. residents react to arrest of Sheriff Jimmy Morris - Local 3 News](https://www.local3news.com/bledsoe-co-residents-react-to-arrest-of-sheriff-jimmy-morris/article_359b60c5-a597-50b1-8fa1-5bf5a7d04405.html) - accessed 2026-07-23","campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","county":"Bledsoe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Jimmy","fullname":"Jimmy L Morris","lastname":"Morris","middlename":"L","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Bledsoe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Bledsoe","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Longtime Republican Bledsoe County sheriff, re-elected in 2022 and seeking another term in 2026; campaigns on expanded drug enforcement and deputy training.","terms":[],"token":"ZgRnaistI3"}