{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nBryan McCarter is the Republican nominee for Sevier County Mayor in 2026. He won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, defeating retired National Park ranger Jerry Grubb 8,905-3,514, and advances to the August 6, 2026 general election against independents Krystal Lee Whaley and Mark Mundo [1][2][4]. The seat is open for the first time in decades following the retirement of longtime Mayor Larry Waters [2].\n\n## Background and career\nMcCarter is a lifelong Sevier County resident and a Certified Public Accountant with a background in public accounting and financial management [3]. He previously served as the county's finance director and was elevated to Sevier County vice mayor in 2017 [1][3].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nAs a candidate, McCarter has centered his platform on government accountability, economic development and small-business growth, public safety and support for law enforcement, and fiscal responsibility [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Bryan McCarter wins Republican primary for Sevier County mayor's race - WBIR](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/elections/bryan-mccarter-wins-republican-primary-for-sevier-county-mayors-race/51-19adc77f-0dd5-4068-a2e4-3debefd2a9e1) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Sevier County voters will choose new leadership in the mayor's office after 48 years - WBIR](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/sevier-county-voters-will-chose-new-leadership-in-the-mayors-office-after-48-years/51-5d85f6ef-2686-4b15-9005-01fd4d71e736) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Bryan McCarter for Sevier County Mayor (campaign site)](https://www.bryanmccartertn.com/) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[4] [Sevier County May 5, 2026 Sample Ballot](https://www.wate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2026/04/Sevier-May-2026-Sample-Ballot.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_mayor","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Mayor"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Bryan","fullname":"Bryan McCarter","lastname":"McCarter","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_mayor","contest_title":"County Mayor","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_mayor","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_mayor","contest_title":"County Mayor","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_mayor","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_mayor","office_title":"County Mayor","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Bryan McCarter, Sevier County's vice mayor and a CPA, won the Republican primary for county mayor and faces two independents in the August 2026 general election.","terms":[],"token":"d2XRFgHQ6P"}