←All People
MATTHEW ANTONIAK
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Matthew Antoniak is an independent candidate for one of two DeKalb County Commission seats in District 1 in the August 6, 2026 general election, running alongside Republicans Daniel Cripps and Randy Slager and independent Ceylon Taylor Jr. 12. Antoniak has said he chose to run as an independent "because I want to run as a voice for the people of my district, not a voice beholden to a party" 2.
Documented disputes and controversies
Antoniak's place on the ballot was secured only after litigation. His qualifying petition was initially deemed invalid by the DeKalb County Election Commission in March 2026 because it lacked his personal signature; his father, Michael Antoniak, had signed the candidate line on his behalf after, the family said, following instructions from election-office staff 2. Administrator of Elections Dustin Estes acknowledged the office had given the family "bad advice" but said the petition could not be accepted after the February 19 qualifying deadline 2. Antoniak filed a complaint in DeKalb County Chancery Court on March 23, 2026, and on April 9 Chancellor Ronald Thurman signed an agreed order finding the petition "satisfies and comports fully with all of the statutory requisites" and directing that Antoniak's name be placed on the August ballot; the election commission voted not to oppose the order, and litigation costs were taxed to the commission and county government 2.
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)
-
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 “ANTONIAK”, 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 (“ANTONIAK”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “ANTONIAK”and, if needed, select the applicable position.