{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRay Smith is an independent candidate for Overton County Sheriff on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot [3]. He describes about 28 years dedicated to law enforcement and public service, and states his priorities as sheriff would be \"public safety, accountability, and community trust,\" including a focus on safe schools [1].\n\n## Office history\nSmith has 25 years of service with the city of Livingston and was hired as chief of the Livingston Police Department in 2022, selected after scoring highest (15.33) among three assessed candidates [1][2]. As chief he has overseen department initiatives including a dedicated non-emergency phone line and planning to expand the department's building as the city has grown [4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Ray Smith seeks election as Sheriff - Overton County News](https://www.overtoncountynews.com/news/local_state/ray-smith-seeks-election-as-sheriff/article_1075e4ff-6a3b-4afe-a726-9cea03c1967d.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Ray Smith hired as LPD Chief - Overton County News](https://www.overtoncountynews.com/news/ray-smith-hired-as-lpd-chief/article_e8a81946-5f9d-11ed-bd15-bb2b57d0a25c.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Overton County August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot (PDF)](https://overtonvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/TNOVEPG6_SampleInfinityBallot.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[4] [Livingston Police Dept. announces non-emergency phone number - Overton County News](https://www.overtoncountynews.com/news/local_state/livingston-police-dept-announces-non-emergency-phone-number/article_4b9dbbb2-e31a-11ef-b0a7-8f533d9f95d7.html) - accessed 2026-07-23","campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","county":"Overton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"Sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"RAY","fullname":"RAY SMITH","lastname":"SMITH","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Overton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"Sheriff","county":"Overton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"I","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Livingston Police Chief since 2022 with about 28 years in law enforcement; independent candidate for Overton County Sheriff in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"kO0jzkzMbK"}