{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRobert 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 [1][2] \u2014 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 [2][3].\n\n## Background and education\nSimerly 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].\n\n## Career\nSimerly 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].\n\n## Family\nHe has been married to his wife, Kelly Potter Simerly, for 36 years [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [August 6, 2026 Official Ballot for Blount County](https://www.blounttn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30077/August-6-2026-Sample-Ballot-PDF) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [May 5, 2026 Official Ballot for Blount County](https://www.blounttn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29846/May-5-2026-Sample-Ballot-PDF) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [The Daily Times \u2014 Hats in the Ring: County Board of Commissioners Seat 4-B](https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/blount-county-board-of-commissioners-seat-4-b/pdf_cd0b4d2f-5605-4f43-b787-d96c2d5bd8b5.html) (Marcus Fitzsimmons) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_4_seat_b","county":"Blount","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commission District 4, Seat B"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Robert","fullname":"Robert G. Simerly","lastname":"Simerly","middlename":"G.","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_4_seat_b","contest_title":"County Commission District 4, Seat B","county":"Blount","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_4_seat_b","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_4_seat_b","contest_title":"County Commission District 4, Seat B","county":"Blount","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_4_seat_b","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_4_seat_b","office_title":"County Commission District 4, Seat B","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Republican nominee for Blount County Commission District 4, Seat B, facing Democrat Hilary Trudell; retired 25-year law enforcement veteran and certified county government administrator.","terms":[],"token":"gb1WYjuVIb"}