{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nShawn McGowan is the Republican candidate for Rutherford County Commission District 15 in 2026, and advanced to face Democrat Chay Woods in the August 6, 2026 general election [1][2]. McGowan says he decided to run after learning that Middle Point Landfill was seeking to expand for another 50 years: \"I never expected to run for public office... when I learned that Middle Point Landfill was seeking to expand for another 50 years... I felt called to get involved\" [1]. His platform priorities include diverting waste from Middle Point Landfill through expanded recycling and improved waste management, ensuring fiscal accountability and sound financial oversight, promoting responsible growth that funds infrastructure, schools and public safety, and protecting the county's AAA bond rating [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMcGowan holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Villanova University and an MBA from Oklahoma State University, and is a Certified Public Accountant [1].\n\n## Career\n\nMcGowan is the Chief Financial Officer for Whitsell Corporation and has more than 30 years of experience in financial oversight, budgeting, and risk management [1].\n\n## Family\n\nMcGowan has been married to his wife, Laura, for nearly 30 years; she teaches at Providence Christian Academy [1]. They have two adult children: Meghan, a teacher in Rutherford County schools, and Ryan, who works for Frito-Lay in Georgia [1]. McGowan is an active member of The Experience Community Church in Murfreesboro [1].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Shawn McGowan Announces Run for Rutherford County Commission, District 15](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/95888/shawn-mcgowan-announces-run-for-rutherford-county-commission-district-15) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Rutherford County Voters Shake Up Local Leadership In Primary Election](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/99257/rutherford-county-voters-shake-up-local-leadership-in-primary-election) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_15","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commission District 15"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"SHAWN","fullname":"SHAWN MCGOWAN","lastname":"MCGOWAN","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_15","contest_title":"County Commission District 15","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_15","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_15","contest_title":"County Commission District 15","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_15","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_15","office_title":"County Commission District 15","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Republican candidate for Rutherford County Commission District 15, a CPA and corporate CFO running on waste management and fiscal accountability.","terms":[],"token":"pCiw2mnN6s"}