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CHAD BURCHETTE
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Chad Burchette is running as an independent candidate for Cocke County Mayor in the August 6, 2026 county general election against Republican nominee Joe Shults 12. A lifelong Republican by affiliation, Burchette is on the ballot as an independent; Shults publicly noted that Burchette had not voted in three of the last four Republican primaries 3. Announcing his candidacy, Burchette said, "I feel I have the drive, motivation, and knowledge to operate the Cocke County government efficiently with a purpose and a plan," and framed his campaign around networking to bring opportunities to the county and positioning it to compete 1. He added, "A vote for me is a vote for our children, our workers, our retirees, our well-being and our financial future as a county and as individuals" 1.
Background and education
Burchette is a lifelong Cocke County resident who comes from a family of educators 1. He graduated from Cocke County High School in 1995, earned an associate degree in production horticulture from Walters State Community College, a bachelor's degree in general studies (with minors in environmental health and criminal justice) from East Tennessee State University, and a master's degree in education from Carson-Newman College 1. He is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Cocke County 1.
Career
Burchette has owned Burchette Landscaping since 1995 and expanded into excavation with Burchette Earthworks around 2010 1. He has taught at Edgemont Elementary, Cosby High School, and Del Rio Elementary, and worked as a district sales coordinator for Aflac 1. He holds state licenses for septic and EI pump installation 1.
Family
Burchette foregrounded his family's education background in his campaign announcement: his mother served as director of schools for Newport and his father was principal of Smoky Mountain Elementary 1. His wife teaches at Del Rio Elementary, and he has two children and two stepchildren 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 “BURCHETTE”, 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 (“BURCHETTE”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “BURCHETTE”and, if needed, select the applicable position.