{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMatthew 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. [1][2]. 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].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nAntoniak'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].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [New County Mayor and Sheriff to be Elected August 6 \u2014 WJLE Radio](https://www.wjle.com/new-county-mayor-and-sheriff-to-be-elected-august-6-early-voting-begins-friday-july-17/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Chancellor Approves Agreed Order to Place Matthew Antoniak's Name on August Ballot \u2014 WJLE Radio](https://www.wjle.com/chancellor-approves-agreed-order-to-place-matthew-antoniaks-name-on-august-ballot-for-county-commission-district-1/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_1","county":"Dekalb","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commissioner District 1"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"MATTHEW","fullname":"MATTHEW ANTONIAK","lastname":"ANTONIAK","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_1","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 1","county":"Dekalb","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_1","contest_title":"County Commissioner District 1","county":"Dekalb","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"I","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":"County Commissioner District 1","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Independent candidate for DeKalb County Commission District 1; won a court order placing him on the August 2026 ballot after his petition was initially rejected.","terms":[],"token":"htg1AZSCQY"}