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Robert G. Simerly
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Robert G. Simerly is the Republican nominee for Blount County Commission District 4, Seat B, facing Democrat Hilary Trudell in the Aug. 6, 2026 general election 12 — not Robin Cox, who is paired with the Seat A race instead. The Seat B contest is for the position being vacated by retiring incumbent Dawn Reagan 23.
Background and education
Simerly describes himself as a lifelong Blount Countian who has lived in District 4 (Chilhowee View) for more than 40 years. He graduated from Heritage High School in 1985 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bethel University 3.
Career
Simerly says he has more than 25 years in law enforcement and 25 years of service in county or municipal government. He is a Certified Public Administrator through the UT County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), with 328 hours of county-government training in leadership, finance, HR, purchasing, budgeting, and ethics 3.
Family
He has been married to his wife, Kelly Potter Simerly, for 36 years 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 “Simerly”, 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 (“Simerly”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Simerly”and, if needed, select the applicable position.