{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nWilliam \"Bill\" Tollett is the Republican nominee for Rutherford County Commission District 8 on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot, where he faces Democrat Jennifer Burke.[1][2] He entered the race to succeed retiring Commissioner Pettus Read and won the Republican primary over John Gaessler.[2][3] His stated campaign priorities are education, infrastructure, and \"smart strategic development that preserves the character of local communities while addressing future needs.\"[3]\n\n## Background and education\nTollett is a lifelong resident of the Eagleville area with more than 30 years of service to the Eagleville and Rutherford County communities.[3]\n\n## Career\nTollett began his career in 1989 as a teacher at Eagleville School and later served there as a coach and as principal.[3]\n\n## Office history\nTollett serves as Vice Mayor of Eagleville and has been a member of the Eagleville City Council.[3]\n\n## Family\nTollett and his wife, Cathy, have two children, both of whom work as educators and coaches in Rutherford County Schools.[3]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [August 6, 2026 General Election Candidate List, Rutherford County, TN](https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/uploads/dm/79794/August_6_General_Election_Candidate_list.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Election Deadline: Who Qualified for 2026 RuCo Primary - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/97847/election-deadline-who-qualified-for-2026-ruco-primary) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Eagleville Vice Mayor Bill Tollett Announces Bid for Rutherford County Commission - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/93700/eagleville-vice-mayor-bill-tollett-announces-bid-for-rutherford-county-commission) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_9","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"County Commission District 09"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"BILL","fullname":"BILL TOLLETT","lastname":"TOLLETT","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_9","contest_title":"County Commission District 09","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_9","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_commission_district_9","contest_title":"County Commission District 09","county":"Rutherford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"county_commission_district_9","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_9","office_title":"County Commission District 09","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Republican nominee for Rutherford County Commission District 8; longtime Eagleville School educator and principal and current Eagleville vice mayor.","terms":[],"token":"x0JvnxJBSb"}