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Mark Ward
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Mark Ward is the incumbent mayor of Benton County, Tennessee, and is seeking re-election in the August 6, 2026 county general election, appearing on the ballot as the Republican Party nominee 12. He faces independent challengers Shasta M. Arnold, Norman Frazier Jr., and Scott Phifer 1.
Background and education
Ward states he was born in Camden in June 1966 and has lived there his entire life 3.
Career
Ward describes himself as a lifelong businessman. According to his campaign biography, he owned and operated a local Amoco service station in Camden, acquired rental properties, sold the station in 1992, and later built the Colonial Inn in Camden 3. He also previously served as Benton County's Administrator of Elections 3.
Office history
Ward was elected Benton County mayor in 2022 4. He serves as the county's chief financial and administrative officer and as the nonvoting chairman of the county legislative body 5.
Documented disputes and controversies
During Ward's term, the county commission voted 10-6 in 2024 (Resolution No. 20240819-17) to purchase the former FirstBank building on the Camden court square for county office space 6. The purchase was contested among commissioners; in a Facebook post, Commissioner Deborah Bain characterized the plan as "Mayor wants the first bank on the square for him a new office ($480,000 tax payer dollars)," and urged voters to "remember this come election time" 6.
Family
Ward states he has been married to his wife, Lori, for 29 years, and that she has been an educator in Benton County for 19 years 3.
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 “Ward”, 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 (“Ward”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Ward”and, if needed, select the applicable position.