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H. CHRIS LITTLE
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
H. Chris Little is an independent candidate for Carter County mayor in the August 6, 2026 general election, challenging Republican incumbent Patty Woodby 13. He says he is running "because I care deeply about Carter County and the people who call it home" 1. His stated priorities include preparing students for trade and AI-driven careers in partnership with the school board, strengthening regional economic partnerships, recruiting defense-industry jobs, re-establishing a flight school at Elizabethton Municipal Airport, and developing a business incubator 1.
Background and education
Little is a graduate of Elizabethton High School 1. He earned a Bachelor of Science from East Tennessee State University, a Master of Science in sports medicine from Illinois State University, and a Physician Associate degree from Trevecca University 1.
Career
Little worked more than 30 years as a physician associate before retiring in January 2025 1. Early in his career he worked with collegiate and professional teams, including the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs 2. He spent five years in the Emergency Department at Johnson City Medical Center and 25 years as a senior physician associate at Arthritis Associates in Kingsport, specializing in rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases 1.
Legislative record and accomplishments
Little has secured grant funding for local projects over more than three decades, including a boat ramp at Rat Branch (1992), a fire truck for the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department (2011), Green Bridge Landing development (2018), and a Watauga River ramp through the GO BETSY program (2020) 1. He has cited roughly $4 million raised for county projects 1.
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 “LITTLE”, 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 (“LITTLE”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “LITTLE”and, if needed, select the applicable position.