{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMark Francesco Mundo is an independent candidate for Sevier County Mayor in the August 6, 2026 general election, running against Republican nominee Bryan McCarter and fellow independent Krystal Lee Whaley [1][2]. The race is for an open seat following the retirement of longtime Mayor Larry Waters [2].\n\n## Campaign platform\nIn his candidate questionnaire, Mundo identified affordable housing, infrastructure, and unsustainable development as the biggest issues facing the county [1]. He said he wants to \"invest in people, community, and the environment,\" with goals including improving the lives of families earning less than $100,000, bringing back a \"Mountain Tough\" philosophy, and encouraging sustainable growth [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [County Mayor Candidate Mark Mundo - The Mountain Press](https://www.paxtonmedia.com/news/the_mountain_press/county-mayor-candidate-mark-mundo/article_616448c9-6abb-5e44-b7fe-dfbcb1a41e6f.html) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Sevier County voters will choose new leadership in the mayor's office after 48 years - WBIR](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/sevier-county-voters-will-chose-new-leadership-in-the-mayors-office-after-48-years/51-5d85f6ef-2686-4b15-9005-01fd4d71e736) - accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_mayor","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Mayor"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Mark","fullname":"Mark Mundo","lastname":"Mundo","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_mayor","contest_title":"County Mayor","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_mayor","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_mayor","contest_title":"County Mayor","county":"Sevier","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_mayor","office_title":null,"party":"I","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"I","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_mayor","office_title":"County Mayor","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Mark Mundo is an independent candidate for Sevier County mayor focused on affordable housing, infrastructure and sustainable growth.","terms":[],"token":"oGgMlPN61F"}