{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMichael A. Smith is an independent candidate for Carroll County Sheriff on the August 6, 2026 ballot [1][3]. He describes his goal as building \"a stronger, more professional department that puts people first [and] promotes accountability\" while supporting officers [1]. At a June 30, 2026 candidate forum he said his priority is \"to work with other agencies, be more transparent, [and] build a stronger community\" [2]. The seat is open, with incumbent Andy Dickson not seeking re-election [3].\n\n## Background and education\nSmith was born in Milan, Tennessee, the youngest of eleven children, and is a lifelong Carroll County resident [1]. He graduated from Huntingdon High School in 1990 [1].\n\n## Career\nSmith's law enforcement career spans about 18 years [1]. He began in 2008 as a part-time dispatcher with the Benton County Sheriff's Department and later worked as a corrections officer [1]. After graduating from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy in March 2010, he joined the Carroll County Sheriff's Office in 2011, where he has served for about 14 years and currently holds the rank of shift sergeant on the night shift, a role he has held for roughly ten years [1]. He has also owned and operated Smith Roofing, Construction and Home Repair for 25 years [1].\n\n## Office history\nSmith has served as an alderman for the town of Hollow Rock for about 14 years and as vice mayor for four years [1]. His community service also includes 15 years as a volunteer firefighter (Certified Firefighter I, II and III), 15 years with the Carroll County Rescue Squad, and two years on the Carroll County HazMat Team [1].\n\n## Family\nSmith is married to Janna and has a blended family of eight children and thirteen grandchildren; the family lives in Hollow Rock [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Meet Michael A. Smith - Carroll County Sheriff Candidate - The McKenzie Banner](https://www.mckenziebanner.com/stories/meet-michael-a-smith) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Carroll County sheriff candidates outline priorities at community forum - WBBJ](https://www.wbbjtv.com/2026/07/01/carroll-county-sheriff-candidates-outline-priorities-community-forum/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Carroll County's 2026 Ballot Is Set - Carroll County Observer](https://carrollobserver.com/2026-carroll-county-election-candidates/) - accessed 2026-07-23","campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","county":"Carroll","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Michael","fullname":"Michael A. Smith","lastname":"Smith","middlename":"A.","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Carroll","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"I","primary":{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Carroll","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Independent candidate for Carroll County Sheriff. Carroll County sheriff's sergeant, small-business owner, and longtime Hollow Rock alderman and vice mayor.","terms":[],"token":"eGltY30cWK"}