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Krystal Lee Whaley
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Krystal Lee Whaley is an independent candidate for Sevier County Mayor in the August 6, 2026 general election, running against Republican nominee Bryan McCarter and fellow independent Mark Mundo 12. She has said she chose to run as an independent because "a Mayor must represent the people as a whole," arguing a mayor should not have to "answer to a 'party boss,'" and describes herself as historically a Republican voter 1.
Background and education
Whaley describes herself as a 12th-generation Whaley and 6th-generation Greenbrier Whaley who was raised by her grandparents, Joe and Nan Whaley, and graduated from Sevier County High School in the class of 1998 1. She has said she spent about nine years living in various states and countries as an Army spouse 1.
Campaign platform
Whaley has framed her campaign around change, saying "Sevier County does not need a sequel to the last 48 years; we need a brand-new playbook," and criticizing what she calls "passive, reactive planning" by longtime officials 1.
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 “Whaley”, 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 (“Whaley”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Whaley”and, if needed, select the applicable position.