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CHRIS SUTHERLAND
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Chris Sutherland is the Lawrence County Commissioner for District 6, representing the West Point and Iron City communities 1. He qualified as a Republican candidate for re-election to that seat in the 2026 election cycle, ahead of the August 6, 2026 county general election 2.
Background and education
Sutherland moved to Lawrence County in 1959 at age six, when his father, Dr. W.S. Sutherland, began practicing medicine there. He attended a local Seventh-day Adventist school before completing high school at Harbert Hills Academy in Olive Hill, Tennessee 1.
Career
Sutherland spent 32 years as a commercial airline pilot with American Airlines, flying domestic and international routes; in his final years he commanded a 737-800 with 168-seat capacity. He retired in 2016 and returned to Lawrence County in 2017 1.
Office history
After returning to the county, Sutherland decided to run for County Commissioner in District 6, saying "I didn't want to come home and not be in" his community's affairs, per the county's official commissioner biography 1. He serves as Vice President of the West Point Community Club and is active in the County Council of Community Clubs 1.
Family
Sutherland is married to Kendra Kay Sutherland; they have three sons and four grandchildren 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 “SUTHERLAND”, 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 (“SUTHERLAND”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “SUTHERLAND”and, if needed, select the applicable position.