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SCOTT STEWART
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Scott Stewart is the Republican nominee for Hawkins County Sheriff on the August 6, 2026 ballot, running unopposed after winning a five-way GOP primary in May 2026 12. Stewart declared his candidacy on November 18, 2025 3 and ran on the slogans "No Excuses," "No Hugs For Thugs," and "A First Responder. Not A Politician," emphasizing rapid response, visible leadership, and proactive enforcement 145. He has said he wants residents to expect to see the sheriff or chief deputy responding to calls, and plans a more hands-on approach than his predecessor 4.
Background and education
Stewart earned his EMT license through Walters State Community College and has volunteered with the Hawkins County Rescue Squad for more than 25 years, along with local fire departments; his grandfather, Gale Carpenter, helped establish the Rescue Squad in 1958 5.
Career
Stewart joined the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office in 2003 and has since served as a corrections officer, patrol deputy, school resource officer at Volunteer High School, investigator, and narcotics agent with the Third Judicial District Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, where he is currently assistant director 345. He has been a sworn FBI Task Force Officer since 2018 5. Stewart has described his Drug Task Force and FBI Task Force work as the most formative parts of his career, and said he would likely have finished in task-force work had he not run for sheriff 4.
Office history
In the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, Stewart won 3,405 votes (about 40.5% of 8,402 cast), defeating Chief Deputy Tony Allen (1,896), David Good (1,676), and two other candidates 12. He held roughly a 500-vote early-voting lead over the second-place finisher 1. Stewart will succeed four-term Sheriff Ronnie Lawson, who announced in September 2025 that he would not seek re-election, making Stewart the first new Hawkins County sheriff in 16 years 6.
Family
Stewart is married to LeAnn Stewart and is a grandfather; the couple attends The Bridge Church in Rogersville 5.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “STEWART”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“STEWART”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “STEWART”and, if needed, select the applicable position.