{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDavid Aaron Morgan is the sitting Lawrence County Executive, first elected in August 2022 with 59.14% of the vote (5,640 votes), according to his campaign biography [1]. He is seeking a second term in the 2026 election cycle as a Republican, running against fellow Republican Phillip J. Heatherly in the primary; Independent Shane Eaton also appears on the August 6, 2026 county general election ballot for the office [2]. As County Executive, Morgan serves as Lawrence County's chief executive and chief financial officer, with duties including budget compilation, payroll, accounting, personnel management, and legal compliance [3].\n\n## Background and education\nMorgan earned an Associate's degree from Columbia State Community College (2012-2014), a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministries and Counseling Psychology from Nelson University in Waxahachie, Texas (2005), and a Master of Science in Leadership and Public Service from Lipscomb University in Nashville, completed in July 2025 with partial funding from an Ayers Foundation scholarship, per his campaign site [1].\n\n## Career\nMorgan worked as a general contractor from 2001 to 2019, managing residential, commercial, and industrial electrical and construction projects, according to his campaign biography [1]. He has served as lead pastor of United Church since 2013, after eight years as associate pastor; his campaign describes the congregation as drawing more than 550 attendees weekly [1]. He founded 8Oaks Recovery Inc., which his campaign site describes as a faith-based clinical substance-abuse treatment nonprofit [1].\n\n## Office history\nMorgan was elected Lawrence County Executive in August 2022 with 59.14% of the vote [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nDuring his term, the county announced in 2023 that Magna International would build a 500,000-square-foot facility in Lawrence County, according to his campaign material [1].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\nMorgan owns Morgan Family Farms, described on his campaign site as a regenerative-agriculture operation raising grass-fed cattle, lamb, and pastured pork [1]. He also worked as a general contractor for 18 years before taking office [1].\n\n## Family\nMorgan and his wife, Stephanie, have five children - Payton, Benjamin, Elijah, Eden, and Titus - and a son-in-law, Kendall Franklin, per his campaign biography [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [David Morgan for TN County Executive campaign site](https://morganforlawcotn.com/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Candidates Qualify to Compete in Upcoming Elections - Main Street Media of Tennessee (Lawrence County Advocate & Democrat)](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/lawrencecountyadvocate/candidates-qualify-to-compete-in-upcoming-elections/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [County Executive - Lawrence County TN, Government](https://lawrencecountytn.gov/government/county-executive/) - accessed 2026-07-06","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_executive","county":"Lawrence","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Executive"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"DAVID","fullname":"DAVID AARON MORGAN","lastname":"MORGAN","middlename":"AARON","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_executive","contest_title":"County Executive","county":"Lawrence","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_executive","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_executive","contest_title":"County Executive","county":"Lawrence","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_executive","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_executive","office_title":"County Executive","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Lawrence County Executive since August 2022 (59% of the vote); pastor, farmer, and former general contractor seeking a second term as the Republican nominee in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"bFGY1YYDT0"}