{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nWilliam \"Bill\" Sofield is the Republican nominee for Knox County Board of Education District 9 in the August 6, 2026 general election, running against Democrat Brandy Jenkins to replace board chair Kristi Kristy; he won the GOP primary over Kristy, 2,026 votes to 1,961 [1][2]. His priorities are district-wide systematic phonics in early elementary, prioritizing physical books over digital devices for young readers, data-driven analysis of enrollment trends and building conditions, maximizing efficiency and accountability in the $700-million-plus operating budget, and clear, transparent library book-review rules [1]. \"Nothing replaces the experience of holding a real book,\" he says, adding, \"The research is clear that phonics-based approaches are the most effective way.\" [1]\n\n## Background and education\nSofield, 61, is a longtime Knox County resident of more than 31 years [1][2].\n\n## Career\nHe is a computer applications analyst with extensive classroom-volunteer experience [1].\n\n## Family\nSofield and his wife of 30 years have four sons who attended Knox County Schools - three graduates and one current student [1][2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Knox County Board of Education District 9 voter's guide (Knox News)](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/knox-county-board-education-district-062843408.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Bill Sofield for Knox County Board of Education, District 9 (campaign site)](https://electbillsofield.com/) - accessed 2026-07-23","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_9","county":"Knox","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"Board Of Education District 9"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Bill","fullname":"Bill Sofield","lastname":"Sofield","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_9","contest_title":"Board Of Education District 9","county":"Knox","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":"knox","office_key":"county_school_board_district_9","office_title":"Knox County Schools Board District 9","party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":"knox","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board_district_9","contest_title":"Board Of Education District 9","county":"Knox","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":"knox","office_key":"county_school_board_district_9","office_title":"Knox County Schools Board District 9","party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_school_board_district_9","office_title":"Knox County Schools Board District 9","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Republican nominee for Knox County school board District 9; a computer applications analyst and parent of four KCS students focused on phonics and fiscal oversight.","terms":[],"token":"rE4lTinaLs"}