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RIP VAN WINKLE
Office history
Editorial note - same-name confusion. This candidate shares his name with Rip Van Winkle, the title character of Washington Irving's well-known short story, which dominates web searches for the name. The person described here is a Van Buren County, Tennessee resident and candidate for county office; he is unrelated to the fictional character.
Current office and 2026 campaign
Rip Van Winkle is a Republican candidate for the Van Buren County Commission, District 3, on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot.
Office history
Van Winkle has previously served in Van Buren County government. He appeared on the county's August 2018 official ballot as a candidate for County Commissioner, District 3 1, and is recorded participating in County Commission proceedings in county commission minutes from this period 2. He is also listed as a Van Buren County contact for the Tennessee Republican Party 3.
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 “WINKLE”, 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 (“WINKLE”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “WINKLE”and, if needed, select the applicable position.