[{"bio_snippet":"Matt Burchfield is listed as a candidate for Tennessee House District 057 Republican Primary in the 2026 election cycle.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMatt Burchfield is a candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 57 [1]. He qualified for the ballot by meeting the filing deadline established by the Tennessee Secretary of State on March 10, 2026 [1]. His candidacy was included in the finalized list of candidates for state and federal races released following the close of the qualifying period [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n[2] [Tennessee's 2026 candidate lists finalized for state and federal races \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tennessees-2026-candidate-lists-finalized-for-state-and-federal-races/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Matt","fullname":"Matt Burchfield","lastname":"Burchfield","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Matt Burchfield is listed as a candidate for Tennessee House District 057 Republican Primary in the 2026 election cycle.","token":"v88SlKGLIA"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Camille","fullname":"Camille Burdine","lastname":"Burdine","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"WL463JAaXK"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Steven","fullname":"Steven Burford","lastname":"Burford","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"lDY0qEjjKS"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Mark","fullname":"Mark Burgdorf","lastname":"Burgdorf","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"UAp9mmbgvp"},{"bio_snippet":"Shannon Burgdorf is a Republican candidate for Sumner County Commission District 19 and serves on the Education Committee.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nShannon Burgdorf serves as a Sumner County Commissioner representing District 19 [1]. In the 2026 election cycle, she is seeking re-election to the county commission seat in the Republican primary for District 19 [4]. Her candidacy was confirmed on the official candidate lists published by the Tennessee Secretary of State following the March 10, 2026 qualifying deadline [2].\n\nBurgdorf has characterized her campaign as a response to the rapid suburban growth of Sumner County. She states that she and her husband have lived in Hendersonville since 1997 and raised four sons there, witnessing the area transform from a \"sleepy little town\" into an \"overcrowded, and over-taxed suburb of Nashville\" [7]. She argues that the current county commission has engaged in mismanagement by rezoning property for high-density residential development, which she claims overburdens emergency services, streets, schools, and parks while resulting in higher taxes [4].\n\nPrior to her 2026 campaign, Burgdorf held a leadership role within local government structures. In June 2026, the Sumner County Education Committee appointed her as its chairman following the removal of District 17 Commissioner Robert Brown by a 4-3 vote [6]. This appointment occurred just two months before Brown's term ended and ahead of a vote on the schools' $400 million fiscal year budget [6]. Burgdorf is registered as an Undecided voter in Hendersonville, Tennessee [3].\n\n## Background and education\n\nShannon P. Burgdorf is 48 years old and resides in Hendersonville, Tennessee [3]. She has lived in the community with her husband for 29 years, having raised their four sons there since 1997 [4]. Public voter registration records indicate that she is registered as an Undecided voter [3].\n\nSpecific details regarding her birthplace, year of birth, religious affiliation, and formal educational background are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Career\n\nShannon Burgdorf has lived in Hendersonville, Tennessee, with her husband since 1997, where they raised their four sons [4]. She is a registered voter in the city and self-describes as an undecided voter in official records [3].\n\nAs a Sumner County Commissioner representing District 19, Burgdorf serves on the county\u2019s Education Committee [6]. In June 2026, she was appointed chairman of this committee following the removal of the previous chair, Robert Brown, by a 4-3 vote [6]. Her role involves participating in the oversight of Sumner County Schools\u2019 budget and operations [6].\n\nBurgdorf is listed as an official county employee through the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service\u2019s County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) [5]. She has utilized Change.org to host petitions related to her service on the Sumner County Commission, allowing constituents to submit issues for her influence [8].\n\n## Office history\n\nShannon Burgdorf served as a member of the Sumner County Education Committee, where she was appointed chairman in June 2026 following the removal of District 17 Commissioner Robert Brown [6]. As a commissioner, she represented District 19 on the Sumner County Commission [8]. In this capacity, she held responsibilities related to county governance and budget oversight, including participation in votes for the Sumner County Schools\u2019 fiscal year budget [6].\n\nBurgdorf has sought elected office in Sumner County. She ran in the Republican primary for county commissioner in District 19, citing concerns over high-density rezoning and its impact on emergency services, streets, schools, and parks [4]. She also filed to run for the Republican State Executive Committee, with a qualifying deadline of March 10, 2026 [2].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nShannon Burgdorf serves as a commissioner for Sumner County, Tennessee, representing District 19 [1]. In this role, she is a member of the county's Education Committee, which oversees significant fiscal matters including the approval of the Sumner County Schools budget [6].\n\nBurgdorf\u2019s legislative and policy focus centers on opposing high-density residential zoning, which she argues overburdens emergency services, streets, schools, and parks while leading to higher taxes [4]. She has characterized the county's current management as mismanagement that has transformed Hendersonville from a quiet community into an overcrowded suburb of Nashville [7].\n\nIn June 2026, Burgdorf was appointed chairman of the Sumner County Education Committee by a vote of the committee members, succeeding District 17 Commissioner Robert Brown who was ousted from the chairmanship [6]. This appointment occurred shortly before the committee voted to approve the schools' fiscal year budget [6].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nIn June 2024, District 17 Commissioner Robert Brown was removed as chairman of the Sumner County Education Committee by a 4-3 vote, with District 18 Commissioner Don Schmit raising concerns about the committee during that meeting [6]. Following this removal, District 19 Commissioner Shannon Burgdorf was appointed to chair the committee [6].\n\nBurgdorf has publicly criticized the current Sumner County Commission for rezoning property to high-density residential development, stating that this practice overburdens emergency services, streets, schools, and parks while resulting in higher taxes [4][7]. She describes the area as having transformed from a \"sleepy little town\" into an \"overcrowded, and over-taxed suburb of Nashville\" [4][7].\n\nBurgdorf maintains a petition page on Change.org associated with her role on the Sumner County Commission for District 19, allowing constituents to submit issues she can influence [8].\n\n## Family\n\nBurgdorf states that she has been married to her husband for 29 years and that they have lived in Hendersonville since 1997 [4]. The couple has raised four sons in the community [4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Shannon Burgdorf - Sumner County, Tennessee Government](https://sumnercountytn.gov/shannon-burgdorf/)\n[2] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n[3] [Shannon Burgdorf from Hendersonville, Tennessee | VoterDirectory.com](https://voterdirectory.com/tn/shannon-burgdorf/)\n[4] [Shannon Burgdorf seeks county commission seat - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/hendersonvillestandard/shannon-burgdorf-seeks-county-commission-seat/)\n[5] [County Commissioner | UT County Technical Assistance Service](https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/official/shannon-burgdorf)\n[6] [County\u2019s education chair replaced ahead of schools\u2019 budget vote - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/gallatinnews/countys-education-chair-replaced-ahead-of-schools-budget-vote/)\n[7] [Shannon Burgdorf seeks county commission seat - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://www.hendersonvillestandard.com/news/shannon-burgdorf-seeks-county-commission-seat/article_5f1c72b6-b120-11ec-befb-8b393149e2b2.html)\n[8] [Shannon Burgdorf - Petitions & Information - Change.org \u00b7 Change.org](https://www.change.org/decision-makers/shannon-burgdorf-sumner-county-commission-district-19)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Shannon","fullname":"Shannon Burgdorf","lastname":"Burgdorf","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Shannon Burgdorf is a Republican candidate for Sumner County Commission District 19 and serves on the Education Committee.","token":"7IoQdpFafT"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Beverly","fullname":"Beverly Burger","lastname":"Burger","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"BEOQVCGbbz"},{"bio_snippet":"Fred Burgess, a Randolph County at\u2011large Board of Education member, is running for the Asheboro City Schools Board of Education in 2026.","biography":"Fred Burgess is a currently elected member of the Randolph County Board of Education, serving at\u2011large, and is a candidate for the Asheboro City Schools Board of Education in the November 3, 2026 general election in Randolph County, North Carolina. In the 2022 election he ran for an at\u2011large seat on the Randolph County School System board and appeared on the November 8, 2022 ballot as a nonpartisan candidate, though he did not complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey [1]. The Vote\u2011USA profile confirms that he holds the at\u2011large seat on the Randolph County Board of Education as of the most recent filing [10].\n\nPublicly available biographical details beyond his elected office are limited. No specific information on his education, professional career, or prior public service appears in the cited sources. The candidate\u2019s official email address listed on the Ballotpedia page is fburgess@randolph.k12.nc.us, indicating a direct line to the Randolph County Schools system [1].\n\nDuring his prior campaign for the county board, Burgess was listed among five candidates for the at\u2011large seats, alongside David Carter, Phillip Lanier, Kurt Melvin, and Shannon Craven Whitaker, but the Ballotpedia entry does not record vote totals or outcomes [1]. No issue positions or platform statements are provided in the sources, and he has not supplied a personal campaign website. The Vote\u2011USA page notes that he is \u201ccurrently elected\u201d but offers no further policy details.\n\nOverall, Fred Burgess\u2019s public record shows experience serving on a county\u2011wide education board and a continued interest in local education governance through his 2026 candidacy for the Asheboro City Schools Board of Education.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Fred Burgess (Randolph County Schools school board At-large, North Carolina, candidate 2022) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Fred_Burgess_(Randolph_County_Schools_school_board_At-large,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2022))\n- [6] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [10] [Vote-USA | Fred Burgess | Candidate for Randolph County Board of Education at-Large, Randolph County, North Carolina | November 8, 2022 North Carolina General Election](https://vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?State=NC&Id=NCBurgessFred)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Fred","fullname":"Fred Michael Burgess JR","lastname":"Burgess","middlename":"Michael","suffix":"JR","summary":"Fred Burgess, a Randolph County at\u2011large Board of Education member, is running for the Asheboro City Schools Board of Education in 2026.","token":"54a3b649ae0ffe2f"},{"bio_snippet":"Glenn Burgess is a Republican candidate for Circuit Court Clerk in Fayette County, TN, with public payroll records showing his employment and salary growth there from 2019 to 2024.","biography":"Glenn Burgess is a Republican candidate running for Circuit Court Clerk in Fayette County, Tennessee, during the 2026 election cycle [1]. He has been employed by Fayette County for at least several years, with public payroll records documenting his tenure from 2019 through 2024 [6]. In 2022, Burgess earned a salary of $55,328, which represented a 6% increase from the previous year and contributed to an approximate 19% total salary growth over the period from 2019 to 2022 [6]. By 2024, his compensation had risen to $75,438, marking a 21% increase from 2023 and a cumulative 62% increase since 2019 [8]. While the specific job title is not explicitly detailed in the summary snippets, he is listed among Fayette County employees with other staff members such as James Gallagher and Lee Truitt [6][8]. There is another individual named Glenn Burgess who is an academic expert in political thought at Hull University, but this person is distinct from the candidate running for office in Tennessee [11].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [2] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [6] [Glenn Burgess - OpenGovPay](https://opengovpay.com/tn/glenn-burgess-e/144696014)\n- [8] [Glenn Burgess - OpenGovPay](https://opengovpay.com/tn/glenn-burgess-e/186769396)\n- [11] [Glenn Burgess - The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/profiles/glenn-burgess-379579)","birthdate":"Sun, 07 May 1978 00:00:00 GMT","firstname":"Glenn","fullname":"Glenn Burgess","lastname":"Burgess","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Glenn Burgess is a Republican candidate for Circuit Court Clerk in Fayette County, TN, with public payroll records showing his employment and salary growth there from 2019 to 2024.","token":"Rn1GqPliwF"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"JESSICA","fullname":"JESSICA R. BURGESS","lastname":"BURGESS","middlename":"R.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"5Vu6wGTSOj"},{"bio_snippet":"Melvin Burgess is currently serving as the Assessor of Property, a position he has held since September 2018. There is no information available regarding his education, work history, community involvement, or previous campaigns. Therefore, it is difficult to objectively evaluate his capabilities based on this limited information.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n- Shelby County Assessor of Property since 2018; re-elected August 4, 2022. Current term ends September 1, 2026. ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melvin_Burgess), [UT CTAS directory](https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/official/melvin-burgess))\n- Named 2021 Tennessee Assessor of the Year. ([campaign site](https://www.burgessfor901.com/about))\n- Office: 1075 Mullins Station, Memphis, TN 38134.\n\n- Candidate in the Democratic primary on May 5, 2026 \u2014 one of seven Democrats running for the open mayor's seat after incumbent Lee Harris was term-limited. General election August 6, 2026. ([Wikipedia: 2026 Shelby County mayoral election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Shelby_County,_Tennessee_mayoral_election), [Fox 13 Memphis, 7 Dems field](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/7-democrats-face-off-to-win-nomination-in-shelby-county-mayoral-race/article_6be2d526-e0df-4cb1-ad47-2bdf478e8f25.html))\n- Campaign site: [burgessfor901.com](https://www.burgessfor901.com/)\n\n- Per his campaign, his office's work contributed to a reduction of the property tax rate from $3.39 to $2.69 per $100 assessed value before FY 2026, attributed in part to the assessor's \"new growth\" discovery. ([campaign post, 2026](https://www.burgessfor901.com/post/county-mayor-candidate-talks-mata-taxes-and-development))\n- At candidate forums, has emphasized transit (\"We've got to work together to fix that transportation issue\"), blight (\"All these properties that are out there like that, give them back to the CDCs\"), and inclusive governance (\"Everybody will have a seat at the table\"). ([campaign post, 2026](https://www.burgessfor901.com/post/county-mayor-candidate-talks-mata-taxes-and-development))\n\n## Background and education\n- B.S. in Accounting, Grambling State University. Product of Memphis City Schools. ([campaign site](https://www.burgessfor901.com/about))\n\n## Career\n- Former Chief Internal Auditor, Memphis/Shelby County Schools.\n- Founded the Shelby County Commission's Audit Committee; former Shelby County Board Chairman; founder of the Shelby County Appraisal Institute. ([campaign site](https://www.burgessfor901.com/about))\n\n- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Delta Boule Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi. ([campaign site](https://www.burgessfor901.com/about))\n\n---\n\n*Compiled from publicly available web sources on 2026-04-18. Several campaign accomplishments (backlog elimination, award recognition details) are sourced from the campaign's own site and were not independently confirmed in this pass.*\n\n## Office history\n- Shelby County Board of Commissioners, District 7, 2010\u20132018. Succeeded by Tami Sawyer. ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Melvin_Burgess))\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n- **2026** \u2014 [Property Assessor (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BURGESS&id=18831&f=200748&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2026** \u2014 [County Mayor (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BURGESS&id=18831&f=200751&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2025** \u2014 [Property Assessor (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BURGESS&id=18831&f=190053&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n- **2024** \u2014 [Property Assessor (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BURGESS&id=18831&f=174178&v=1) \u2014 filed as a Shelby County official/candidate\n\n*Source: [Tennessee Ethics Commission Statement of Interest Search](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/search.htm). Scraped 2026-04-25.*\n\n## Family\n- Wife Sandra; two daughters; family resides in the Evergreen Historic District of Midtown Memphis.\n- Father was Melvin Burgess, a former Memphis Police Director. ([campaign site](https://www.burgessfor901.com/about), [Fox 13 Memphis](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/7-democrats-face-off-to-win-nomination-in-shelby-county-mayoral-race/article_6be2d526-e0df-4cb1-ad47-2bdf478e8f25.html))\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Melvin","fullname":"Melvin Burgess","lastname":"Burgess","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Melvin Burgess is currently serving as the Assessor of Property, a position he has held since September 2018. There is no information available regarding his education, work history, community involvement, or previous campaigns. Therefore, it is difficult to objectively evaluate his capabilities based on this limited information.","token":"IELQJBLYKr"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"AUSTIN","fullname":"AUSTIN BURGIN","lastname":"BURGIN","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"RjMvBWYyMt"},{"bio_snippet":"Jim Burgin, Republican incumbent, seeks re\u2011election to the North Carolina State Senate District\u202f12 seat in 2026.","biography":"Jim Burgin is the incumbent Republican candidate for the North Carolina State Senate District 12 seat in the 2026 general election, scheduled for November 3, 2026. He has served in the Senate since January\u202f1, 2019 and his current term runs through January\u202f1, 2027, after winning re\u2011election in 2024 [1][8][7].\n\nBorn May\u202f20, 1956, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Burgin earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville [1][8][18]. He later moved to North Carolina, where he built a career as a businessman, serving as President and Owner of C&D Insurance, Chairman of the Board for New Horizon Insurance Group, President of B.C. Property Inc., and a partner in John Heister Automotive, which operates Chevrolet and Chrysler\u2011Dodge\u2011Jeep dealerships. He also held leadership roles at Dairymen Inc. and as a partner at John Hiester Automotive, according to campaign and petition sites [13][20][18].\n\nBefore joining the state legislature, Burgin served two terms on the Harnett County Board of Commissioners, including a stint as board chairman, gaining experience in local government and community development [13][18]. He is active in civic life as an elder at Crossroads Baptist Church, a member of the Angier Kiwanis Club, and participant in various chambers of commerce and workforce development boards.\n\nIn the Senate, Burgin has held prominent committee positions. He chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Health Care Committee, and serves on the Agriculture, Energy, and Environment; Finance; Pensions, Retirement and Aging; and State and Local Government committees, among others, across multiple sessions (2021\u20112026) [1][8]. He has been a leading voice on health\u2011care policy, notably supporting Medicaid expansion\u2014a stance uncommon among North Carolina Republicans\u2014working with Sen. Kevin Corbin on related legislation during the 2021\u20112022 session [8].\n\nBurgin\u2019s electoral record shows consistent victories in District\u202f12: winning 60\u202f% of the vote in 2018, 60.84\u202f% in 2020, 63.45\u202f% in 2022, and 61.61\u202f% in 2024, defeating Democratic challengers each cycle [8]. He advanced from the Republican primary in March\u202f2026 and now faces Democrat Tanya White Anderson in the November general election [1].\n\nHis public service has been recognized with several honors, including North Carolina\u2019s Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2016, reflecting his contributions to the state\u2019s economic and civic life [18]. Burgin continues to emphasize improving health\u2011care access, supporting local businesses, and advancing infrastructure projects for Harnett, Lee, and Sampson counties.\n\nBurgin\u2019s campaign is organized through the website Burgin for Senate, which provides donation information and policy statements [9][19].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Jim Burgin - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jim_Burgin)\n- [2] [North Carolina State Senate District 12 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_State_Senate_District_12)\n- [5] [Senator Jim Burgin - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/s/412)\n- [7] [2026 North Carolina Senate election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_North_Carolina_Senate_election)\n- [8] [Jim Burgin - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Burgin)\n- [9] [Jim Burgin North Carolina Senate](https://www.burginforsenate.com/)\n- [12] [North Carolina State Sen. Jim Burgin - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/309758/James_Burgin.html)\n- [13] [James Burgin - Petitions - North Carolina State Senate - District 12 \u00b7 Change.org](https://www.change.org/decision-makers/jim-burgin-north-carolina-state-senate-district-12)\n- [14] [James Burgin - Petitions - North Carolina State Senate - District 12 \u00b7 Change.org](https://www.change.org/decision-makers/james-burgin-north-carolina-state-senate-district-12)\n- [17] [Jim Burgin - North Carolina Candidate - Transparency USA](https://www.transparencyusa.org/nc/candidate/jim-burgin)\n- [18] [Meet Jim \u2014 Jim Burgin](https://www.jimburgin.org/meet-jim)\n- [19] [Jim Burgin - NC Senate](https://www.jimburgin.org/)\n- [20] [Jim Burgin - North Carolina Republican Senate Caucus](https://ncstatesenate.com/members/jim-burgin/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"James","fullname":"James Andrew Burgin","lastname":"Burgin","middlename":"Andrew","suffix":null,"summary":"Jim Burgin, Republican incumbent, seeks re\u2011election to the North Carolina State Senate District\u202f12 seat in 2026.","token":"d60dd57b87e55e82"},{"bio_snippet":"Candidate for Fayette County Commission, District 5 Position 1, in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary. Bio sources are limited for this rural Fayette County candidate. Web searches returned no results tying a \"Bill Burke\" to Fayette County politics, the 2026 primary, or District ","biography":"Candidate for Fayette County Commission, District 5 Position 1, in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary.\n\nBio sources are limited for this rural Fayette County candidate. Web searches returned no results tying a \"Bill Burke\" to Fayette County politics, the 2026 primary, or District 5 (Piperton/Rossville). He does not appear on the current [Fayette County Commission roster](https://fayettetn.us/county-boards-councils/county-commission/), which for District 5 lists Terrye Canady, Betty Knox Morrison Salmon, and David B. Crislip as recent representatives.","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Bill","fullname":"Bill Burke","lastname":"Burke","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"I64UansYC4"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Chad","fullname":"Chad Burke","lastname":"Burke","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"Vllu2S3Egq"},{"bio_snippet":"Independent incumbent Scott County commissioner for the 6th District since 2022; seeking re-election.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nColby Burke is an independent member of the Scott County Commission for the 6th District (Oneida area), seeking re-election on August 6, 2026 [1][2]. The two-member district has an open seat after incumbent Shon Terry chose not to run; Burke is challenged by Jason Perry (R) and Torrey Slaven (I) [1].\n\n## Office history\nBurke has served on the commission since 2022 and sits on the Community Development, Emergency Services, and Intergovernmental committees [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [2026 Scott County General Election - The Encyclopedia of Scott County](https://ihoneida.com/knowledge-base/2026-scott-county-general-election/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Commissioner Colby Burke - Scott County, TN](http://scottcounty.com/government/board-of-county-commissioners/commissioner-colby-burke/) - accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Colby","fullname":"Colby Burke","lastname":"Burke","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Independent incumbent Scott County commissioner for the 6th District since 2022; seeking re-election.","token":"O6hB4NjdBj"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jared","fullname":"Jared Burke","lastname":"Burke","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"R6N3U96OrK"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"JENNIFER","fullname":"JENNIFER BURKE","lastname":"BURKE","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"ha3HFcAdim"},{"bio_snippet":"Kristi Burke is a Greene County muralist and Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Diana Harshbarger in Tennessee's 1st Congressional District primary on August 6, 2026.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nKristi Burke is a Democratic candidate running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 1st Congressional District [1]. A Greene County resident and muralist, Burke declared her candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][5]. She is challenging incumbent Republican Diana Harshbarger in the general election, which is set for November 3, 2026 [1][6].\n\nBurke self-describes as a \"pattern-breaker\" and grassroots activist who believes that basic needs such as healthcare, housing, and education are fundamental human rights [3][4]. Her campaign platform emphasizes rejecting corporate political action committee money in favor of empowering everyday citizens over special interests [4]. She has pledged radical transparency and states that she is not a career politician, but rather a community member seeking to change who sits at the table in Washington [3].\n\nBurke completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey for the 2026 election cycle [1]. Her campaign maintains an online presence through her official website and fundraising platforms to support her bid for the district seat [8].\n\n## Background and education\n\nKristi Burke is a Greene County resident who identifies as a muralist and grassroots activist[3][4]. She self-describes as a \"pattern-breaker\" in politics rather than a career politician, emphasizing her background as a community member focused on local voices and grassroots change[3][4]. Specific details regarding her birth year, upbringing, religious affiliation, or formal educational institutions attended are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Career\n\nKristi Burke is a muralist and grassroots activist based in Greene County, Tennessee [3]. She self-describes as a community member rather than a career politician, emphasizing her background as an artist and neighbor [1][3]. Burke has stated that her professional experience is rooted in lived experience and the belief that basic needs such as healthcare, housing, and education are fundamental human rights [4].\n\nIn her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, Burke has pledged to reject all corporate PAC money, advocating instead for a system that empowers everyday citizens over billionaires and special interests [4]. She is known for a direct, unafraid style and a commitment to radical transparency [4]. Burke resides on the northern edge of Greene County, close to Sullivan County [9].\n\n## Office history\n\nKristi Burke has not previously held elected or appointed office [1]. She self-describes as a muralist and grassroots activist rather than a career politician [3][4].\n\nBurke announced her campaign for the Democratic nomination in Tennessee's 1st Congressional District, challenging incumbent Diana Harshbarger [5][6][7]. The primary election is scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][2]. As of May 11, 2026, this election has not yet occurred, and its outcome is unknown [1][2].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nKristi Burke\u2019s professional background is rooted in the arts rather than corporate business ownership or traditional wealth accumulation. She self-describes her career experience as that of an artist and muralist [1][3]. Her campaign materials emphasize her identity as a \"neighbor\" and community member, explicitly stating that she is not a career politician [3].\n\nBurke has publicly rejected financial support from large corporate entities, pledging to reject all Corporate PAC money in favor of grassroots funding [4]. She advocates for a political system that empowers everyday citizens over billionaires and special interests [4]. Her campaign website directs supporters to make contributions via ActBlue, noting that donations are made from the contributor's own personal funds [8].\n\nThere is no available information in current sources regarding significant family wealth, ownership stakes in major businesses, or sales of commercial enterprises. Public records and candidate profiles focus on her artistic work and grassroots activism rather than substantial personal or familial business assets [1][3][4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Kristi Burke - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kristi_Burke)\n[2] [Tennessee's 1st Congressional District election, 2026 (August 6 Democratic primary) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee's_1st_Congressional_District_election,_2026_(August_6_Democratic_primary))\n[3] [Vote Kristi Burke](https://www.votekristiburke.com/)\n[4] [Kristi Burke \u2013 Courage Candidate](https://couragefordemocracy.com/candidate/kristi-burke/)\n[5] [Greene County resident Kristi Burke announced her ...](https://www.facebook.com/timesnews/posts/greene-county-resident-kristi-burke-announced-her-campaign-for-the-tennessee-hou/1539163824882899/)\n[6] [Gene Bryant en X: \"Greene County resident Kristi Burke (D) announced her campaign for the Tennessee Congressional District 1 seat, challenging incumbent Diana Harshbarger (R). https://t.co/XEK2nfkmMH\" / X](https://x.com/GeneBryant2/status/2016356359852216435)\n[7] [Burke to contest Harshbarger for First Congressional District seat | Johnson City Press](https://johnsoncitypress.com/news/360479/burke-to-contest-harshbarger-for-first-congressional-district-seat/)\n[8] [Donate to Kristi Burke!](https://secure.actblue.com/donate/votekristiburke)\n[9] [Congressional Primary Candidates Speak At County Democratic Party Meeting \u2013 WGRV.com](https://wgrv.com/congressional-primary-candidates-speak-at-county-democratic-party-meeting/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Kristi","fullname":"Kristi Burke","lastname":"Burke","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Kristi Burke is a Greene County muralist and Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Diana Harshbarger in Tennessee's 1st Congressional District primary on August 6, 2026.","token":"k5p52a1nBN"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Laymon","fullname":"Laymon Burke","lastname":"Burke","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"mTzzJvlBdK"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jennifer","fullname":"Jennifer Burkeen","lastname":"Burkeen","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"T230Az9YnX"}]