[{"bio_snippet":"Independent candidate for Fentress County Executive; appears to be the sitting 3rd District county commissioner (name match to be verified).","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRobert D. Cooper is an independent candidate for Fentress County Executive on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot, one of two independents challenging Republican nominee Jacob Rosenbaum.\n\n## Office history\nA Robert Cooper currently serves on the Fentress County Commission representing the 3rd District [1]. This appears to be the same person, but the name match should be confirmed before publication.","birthdate":null,"firstname":"ROBERT","fullname":"ROBERT D. COOPER","lastname":"COOPER","middlename":"D.","suffix":null,"summary":"Independent candidate for Fentress County Executive; appears to be the sitting 3rd District county commissioner (name match to be verified).","token":"4CsU8sty6w"},{"bio_snippet":"Roy Cooper, former North\u202fCarolina governor, is the Democratic Senate nominee in 2026, highlighting job growth, Medicaid expansion, and tariff reform.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nRoy Asberry Cooper III is the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate from North Carolina in the November 3, 2026 general election; the North Carolina State Board of Elections lists one U.S. Senate seat on that statewide ballot [3]. The Federal Election Commission records him as a Democratic candidate for an open North Carolina Senate seat, candidate ID S6NC00407, with Cooper for North Carolina (C00913566) as his principal campaign committee [1].\n\nIn the March 3, 2026 primary, Cooper received 761,345 of the 827,755 votes recorded across the six candidates in the Democratic contest, ahead of Justin E. Dues (22,295), Marcus W. Williams (20,336), Daryl Farrow (9,727), Orrick Quick (7,275) and Robert Colon (6,777), according to the State Board of Elections' official precinct results. Michael Whatley led the Republican primary with 405,140 votes [2]. Whatley is Cooper's general-election opponent; WRAL reported that the Cook Political Report designates the race a toss-up and that Republicans have won 10 of the last 12 U.S. Senate elections in the state [4].\n\nFEC filings covering July 25, 2025 through June 30, 2026 report $34,975,789.18 in total receipts for his campaign committee, $14,258,221.92 in disbursements and $20,717,567.26 cash on hand, including $13.1 million in individual contributions and $19.8 million transferred from other authorized committees [1].\n\nHis campaign platform is organized, in its own words, around a \"Make Stuff Cost Less\" agenda covering groceries, health care, energy, child care and housing [6]. The campaign says he would \"Support Our Farmers and Stop Chaotic Tariffs,\" arguing that \"[t]ariffs drive up costs on farmers who have to pass the costs along to restaurants, groceries stores and hardworking North Carolinians,\" and would \"End the chaotic trade wars that have driven up the costs of construction materials like lumber, aluminum and steel\" [6]. Other planks listed include reinstating Affordable Care Act tax credits and reversing Medicaid cuts, banning \"algorithm-driven rent setting,\" and blocking \"anti-competitive mergers\" in grocery retail and food processing [6]. At a campaign stop covered by WRAL, Cooper said, \"I'm running for the hard-working parent who is tired of seeing higher costs at the grocery store,\" and \"If you want change in Washington, this campaign is for you. If you want to toss out the D.C. insiders, this campaign is for you\" [4].\n\n## Background and education\n\nCooper was born June 13, 1957 [7]. He is a Nash County native who practiced law in Rocky Mount and holds bachelor's and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [8]. His campaign biography states that he \"was born and raised in Nash County, North Carolina, where he attended public schools and worked summers on the farm,\" that his mother was a public-school teacher, and that \"[f]or years, he taught Sunday School and tutored students in local public schools\" [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nWRAL reports that Cooper was elected to the North Carolina House in 1986 and appointed to the state Senate four years later, becoming Senate majority leader in 1997 [8]; WRAL's 2026 account gives his service as 1987 to 1991 in the House and 1991 to 2001 in the Senate [4]. He was elected attorney general in 2000 and served four four-year terms as head of the Department of Justice, an office that \"oversees the State Crime Lab, represents consumers in complaints and is responsible for defending the state in court\" [8].\n\nCooper was sworn in as North Carolina's 75th governor on January 1, 2017 [8]. The National Governors Association records his two terms as January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2025 [7]. In the 2016 general election he defeated incumbent Republican Pat McCrory by 2,309,157 votes to 2,298,880 \u2014 a margin of 10,277 \u2014 with Libertarian Lon Cecil receiving 102,977, per the State Board of Elections' official precinct results [9]. In 2020 he was re-elected over Republican Dan Forest, 2,834,790 to 2,586,604, with Libertarian Steven J. DiFiore at 60,449 and Constitution Party candidate Al Pisano at 20,934 [10]. WRAL reported in 2026 that Cooper \"has never lost an election in nearly 50 years as a candidate\" [4].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\n**Medicaid expansion.** Cooper signed House Bill 76 on March 27, 2023; it became Session Law 2023-7 [11], titled \"AN ACT to provide north carolina citizens with greater access to healthcare options\" [12]. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported that expansion launched December 1, 2023, that more than 600,000 people enrolled in the first year \u2014 reaching a two-year enrollment target in one year \u2014 that nearly 300,000 people already receiving Medicaid Family Planning benefits were enrolled immediately, and that more than 217,183 rural residents gained coverage [13]. Cooper said in that announcement: \"From day one, we set out to get people covered and get them care. Now, more than 600,000 people have the peace of mind that they can go to the doctor, get needed medications and manage their chronic health conditions \u2014 that's life-changing\" [13].\n\n**House Bill 2 repeal.** On March 30, 2017 Cooper signed House Bill 142, enacted as Session Law 2017-4 and titled \"aN act to reset s.l. 2016-3,\" which repealed S.L. 2016-3 and S.L. 2016-99 [14]. The same law preempted state agencies, the University of North Carolina, the community college system and local governments from \"regulation of access to multiple occupancy restrooms, showers, or changing facilities, except in accordance with an act of the General Assembly,\" and provided that \"[n]o local government in this State may enact or amend an ordinance regulating private employment practices or regulating public accommodations\" \u2014 a provision the act set to expire on December 1, 2020 [14].\n\n**Clemency.** On December 31, 2024 Cooper commuted the sentences of 15 death row inmates to life without possibility of parole, reducing pending death sentences in the state from 136 to 121. NC Newsline reported the action brought him to 34 pardons and 43 commutations in office, \"the most extensive use of clemency powers by any North Carolina governor in the 21st century\" [20]. Cooper said in a statement: \"These reviews are among the most difficult decisions a Governor can make and the death penalty is the most severe sentence that the state can impose. After thorough review, reflection, and prayer, I concluded that the death sentence imposed on these 15 people should be commuted, while ensuring they will spend the rest of their lives in prison\" [20].\n\n**Hurricane Helene.** On October 23, 2024 Cooper said Helene caused an estimated $53.6 billion in damage in North Carolina and asked the General Assembly for $3.9 billion in state aid, calling it a \"down payment on western North Carolina's future.\" He said, \"It is no exaggeration to describe Helene as the deadliest and most damaging storm to ever hit North Carolina\" [21].\n\nIn his December 18, 2024 farewell address, Cooper cited Medicaid expansion, clean energy investment, medical-debt relief and public education, saying, \"We have restored our reputation as a welcoming place, where people can thrive, innovate and grow\" [19]. His campaign biography credits his governorship with \"thousands of new jobs,\" \"hundreds of bipartisan bills,\" Medicaid coverage that \"in early 2025 has already brought health care to more than 650,000 North Carolinians,\" and a plan \"to relieve more than $4 billion of existing medical debt for 2 million eligible North Carolinians\" [5].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nNC Newsline reported at the close of his tenure that Cooper \"has used the veto pen more than any governor in North Carolina history \u2014 and many of those vetoes have been overridden in response\" [19].\n\n**Abortion law, 2023.** Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 20 on May 14, 2023; the General Assembly overrode the veto and the measure became Session Law 2023-14 on May 16, 2023 [15], titled \"AN ACT to make various changes to health care laws and to appropriate funds for health care programs\" [16]. NC Newsline reported that the bill \"bans most abortions after 12 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest, 'life-limiting fetal anomalies,' and emergencies,\" that Cooper's veto \"was canceled in party-line votes in both the House and Senate,\" and that he had held events across the state trying to persuade a Republican to sustain it. After the override Cooper said in a written statement: \"Strong majorities of North Carolinians don't want right-wing politicians in the exam room with women and their doctors, which is even more understandable today after several Republican lawmakers broke their promises to protect women's reproductive freedom\" [17].\n\n**Power-shift legislation.** NC Newsline reported that before Cooper first took office in 2016, \"the GOP-led General Assembly convened to strip the governor's office of significant power,\" and that in December 2024 Republicans completed an override of his veto of Senate Bill 382, a bill that \"strips offices soon to be held by Democrats of appointment power, redirecting much of that authority to Republicans\" and that made \"a litany of changes to election administration.\" The override passed the House 72-46. Per NC Newsline, \"Republicans have touted the law as another measured step in Helene aid, while making needed fixes across state government,\" while \"Democrats and advocates, many of whom have protested at the Legislative Building in recent weeks, have decried it as a 'power grab' aimed at eroding democratic government.\" When Cooper vetoed it, \"calling it a 'sham,' he said it violated the state constitution\" [18].\n\n**COVID-19 closure orders.** WRAL reported that on June 5, 2020 Cooper vetoed House Bill 536, which would have permitted bars to operate in outdoor spaces while restricting the authority of the governor and municipalities to order future closures. Cooper said: \"State and local government leaders must be able to act quickly during the COVID-19 emergency to prevent a surge in cases that could overwhelm hospitals and harm the public. House Bill 536 would limit the ability of leaders to respond quickly to COVID-19 and hamper the health and safety of every North Carolinian.\" WRAL reported that House Speaker Tim Moore argued the proposal simply placed bars on equal footing with restaurants, that Lt. Gov. Dan Forest said other states had reopened bars without public health consequences, and that a bar-industry association filing lawsuits on behalf of 185 businesses expressed disappointment with the veto [22].\n\n**Opposition framing.** After his farewell address, North Carolina Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer criticized Cooper's \"failure in disaster recovery,\" as well as his stances on education and crime, and said: \"Roy Cooper's place in North Carolina history is secure: he is the most inconsequential governor\" [19].\n\n## Family\n\nCooper is married to Kristin Cooper [7], who served as First Lady of North Carolina during his governorship [19].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [COOPER, ROY - candidate overview (S6NC00407)](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S6NC00407/) - Federal Election Commission, accessed 2026-07-30\n[2] [Official precinct results, March 3, 2026 primary (results_pct_20260303)](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30\n[3] [Upcoming Election - North Carolina 2026 Elections](https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30\n[4] [Cooper-Whatley U.S. Senate race 'a true test of where the state is'](https://www.wral.com/news/nccapitol/election-primary-north-carolina-us-senate-cooper-whately-march-2026/) - WRAL, accessed 2026-07-30\n[5] [Meet Roy](https://roycooper.com/about/) - Cooper for North Carolina (campaign site), accessed 2026-07-30\n[6] [Make Stuff Cost Less](https://roycooper.com/make-stuff-cost-less/) - Cooper for North Carolina (campaign site), accessed 2026-07-30\n[7] [Roy Cooper - governor biography](https://www.nga.org/governor/roy-cooper/) - National Governors Association, accessed 2026-07-30\n[8] [Gov. Roy Cooper - profile](https://www.wral.com/story/attorney-general-roy-cooper/11959769/) - WRAL, accessed 2026-07-30\n[9] [Official precinct results, November 8, 2016 general election (results_pct_20161108)](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2016_11_08/results_pct_20161108.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30\n[10] [Official precinct results, November 3, 2020 general election (results_pct_20201103)](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2020_11_03/results_pct_20201103.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-30\n[11] [House Bill 76 / SL 2023-7 - bill history](https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2023/H76) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-30\n[12] [Session Law 2023-7 (House Bill 76)](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/HTML/2023-2024/SL2023-7.html) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-30\n[13] [Over 600,000 North Carolinians Enrolled in Medicaid Expansion](https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2024/12/16/over-600000-north-carolinians-enrolled-medicaid-expansion) - N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, accessed 2026-07-30\n[14] [Session Law 2017-4 (House Bill 142)](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/HTML/2017-2018/SL2017-4.html) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-30\n[15] [Senate Bill 20 / SL 2023-14 - bill history](https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2023/S20) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-30\n[16] [Session Law 2023-14 (Senate Bill 20)](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/HTML/2023-2024/SL2023-14.html) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-30\n[17] [NC legislature overrides governor's veto of abortion ban to make new restrictions law](https://ncnewsline.com/2023/05/16/nc-senate-overrides-veto-of-abortion-ban-with-house-vote-to-follow/) - NC Newsline, accessed 2026-07-30\n[18] [NC Republicans pass law shifting government power, overriding Cooper's veto](https://ncnewsline.com/2024/12/11/nc-republicans-pass-law-shifting-government-power-overriding-coopers-veto/) - NC Newsline, accessed 2026-07-30\n[19] [Gov. Roy Cooper touts Medicaid, jobs and education as his legacy in farewell address](https://ncnewsline.com/2024/12/19/gov-roy-cooper-touts-medicaid-jobs-and-education-as-his-legacy-in-farewell-address/) - NC Newsline, accessed 2026-07-30\n[20] [Governor Cooper commutes 15 death sentences following years of advocacy](https://ncnewsline.com/2024/12/31/governor-cooper-commutes-15-death-sentences-following-years-of-advocacy/) - NC Newsline, accessed 2026-07-30\n[21] [Helene damages in North Carolina total $53 billion, Cooper says, as he requests new state relief](https://ncnewsline.com/2024/10/23/helene-damages-in-north-carolina-total-53-billion-cooper-says-as-he-requests-new-state-relief/) - NC Newsline, accessed 2026-07-30\n[22] [NC Gov. Cooper vetoes 'Bar Bill'](https://www.wral.com/nc-gov-cooper-vetoes-bar-bill/19131832/) - WRAL, accessed 2026-07-30","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Roy","fullname":"Roy Asberry Cooper III","lastname":"Cooper","middlename":"Asberry","suffix":"III","summary":"Roy Cooper, former North\u202fCarolina governor, is the Democratic Senate nominee in 2026, highlighting job growth, Medicaid expansion, and tariff reform.","token":"6f70aa83374498cb"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Tracey","fullname":"Tracey D. Cooper","lastname":"Cooper","middlename":"D.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"V37bTKy1dJ"},{"bio_snippet":"Previous Employment Attorney, Cooper Law Firm, LLC, 1998 2022 Adjunct Professor, Baruch College, 2000 2001 Adjunct Professor, Borough Manhattan Community College, 1999 2001 Education Morris Brown College, 1994 Villanova University Law School, 1997 Membership s National Bar Associ","biography":"Previous Employment\n\nAttorney, Cooper Law Firm, LLC, (1998-2022)\n\nAdjunct Professor, Baruch College, (2000-2001)\n\nAdjunct Professor, Borough Manhattan Community College, (1999-2001)\n\nEducation \n\nMorris Brown College, 1994\n\nVillanova University Law School, 1997\n\nMembership(s) \n\nNational Bar Association \n\nNational Bar Association-Ben F. Jones  \n\nNational Association of Women Judges\n\nCommunity Involvement\n\nWishes and Hopes for Others, Inc. (Co-Founder)\n\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Varonica","fullname":"Varonica R. Cooper","lastname":"Cooper","middlename":"R.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"IpqSKXsLUE"},{"bio_snippet":"William Cooper is a Republican candidate for Knox County Commission District 7 in Tennessee's May 2026 primary.","biography":"William Cooper is a Republican candidate running for Knox County Commission District 7 in Tennessee, with the primary election scheduled for May 5, 2026 [11]. He is one of four candidates listed for this specific district seat, alongside Barry Beeler, Buddy Burkhardt, and Justin Mash [11].\n\nPublicly available information does not provide a detailed professional biography or prior elected office history for this specific William Cooper in the context of Knox County politics. The Ballotpedia entry for a \"William Cooper\" describes a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency Board of Directors in California, who was re-elected in 2022 [1]. This individual is geographically and politically distinct from the Tennessee candidate.\n\nAnother public figure named Bill Cooper served as General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy and previously worked on Capitol Hill and in the private energy sector [6]. He is a native of Tennessee but currently resides in Maryland, and there is no evidence linking him to this local county commission race [6]. Additionally, William Cooper Nell was a 19th-century abolitionist and historian from Boston, who is not relevant to this contemporary election [3].\n\nThe Knox County Commission District 7 seat requires the incumbent or winner to represent the residents of that specific district on the county commission. The primary election will determine which Republican candidate advances to the general election for this local office [11].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [William Cooper - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Cooper)\n- [2] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [William Cooper Nell (U.S. National Park Service)](https://www.nps.gov/people/william-cooper-nell.htm)\n- [4] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [5] [Candidate Information | Williamson County, TN - Official Site](https://www.williamsoncounty-tn.gov/1743/Candidate-Information)\n- [6] [Bill Cooper | Department of Energy](https://www.energy.gov/gc/person/bill-cooper)\n- [7] [2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Tennessee_gubernatorial_election)\n- [11] [Meet Knox County Commission candidates for District 3 and 7 - Knox TN Today](https://www.knoxtntoday.com/meet-knox-county-commission-candidates-for-district-3-and-7/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"William","fullname":"William Cooper","lastname":"Cooper","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"William Cooper is a Republican candidate for Knox County Commission District 7 in Tennessee's May 2026 primary.","token":"nClYMteBGz"},{"bio_snippet":"Yolanda Cooper-Sutton is a community leader in Whitehaven, Memphis, who is passionate about addressing issues such as juvenile crime and community development. She has been a resident of Memphis for 26 years and has been married for 27 years. Yolanda has a degree from Riley Business College in Dothan, Alabama, and is certified as a Health Care Advocate. She has been employed in community health care and has served as a Notary Public in Memphis for 18 years. Yolanda is actively involved in various community organizations, including the Union Mission Homeless Shelter and the After School Program for Tillman Community Center. She is also a member of the Church of God in Christ - Messiah Fellowship and is affiliated with the Junior League and Friends of the Memphis Public Library. Yolanda's hobbies include tennis, golf, reading, and spending time with her family. She is currently a candidate for the Memphis City Council Super District 8 Position 3, with the election scheduled for October 5, 2023. Based on the information provided, Yolanda Cooper-Sutton appears to be an experienced and engaged community leader with a strong background in community health care and public service.","biography":"[https://www.cooper-sutton.com/](https://www.cooper-sutton.com/)\n\nWhitehaven community leader Yolanda Cooper-Sutton is passionate about a variety of political issues including Juvenile Crime, Building within the Community. Yolanda has proven herself to be a hard worker and an effective leader for her community.\n\nMemphis Resident for 26 years\n\nMarried for 27 years\n\n* Riley Business College in Dothan, Alabama\n* Certified as a Health Care Advocate\n* Employed in Community Health Care\n* 18 Years Notary Public Memphis, Tennessee\n* Community Activist and Volunteer for Union Mission Homeless Shelter and After School Program for Tillman Community Center\n* Active Member of Church of God in Christ \u2013 Messiah Fellowship\n* Member of the following organizations: Junior League and Friends of the Memphis Public Library\n* Hobbies are tennis, golf, reading and spending time with my family\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Yolanda","fullname":"Yolanda Cooper-Sutton","lastname":"Cooper-Sutton","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Yolanda Cooper-Sutton is a community leader in Whitehaven, Memphis, who is passionate about addressing issues such as juvenile crime and community development. She has been a resident of Memphis for 26 years and has been married for 27 years. Yolanda has a degree from Riley Business College in Dothan, Alabama, and is certified as a Health Care Advocate. She has been employed in community health care and has served as a Notary Public in Memphis for 18 years. Yolanda is actively involved in various community organizations, including the Union Mission Homeless Shelter and the After School Program for Tillman Community Center. She is also a member of the Church of God in Christ - Messiah Fellowship and is affiliated with the Junior League and Friends of the Memphis Public Library. Yolanda's hobbies include tennis, golf, reading, and spending time with her family. She is currently a candidate for the Memphis City Council Super District 8 Position 3, with the election scheduled for October 5, 2023. Based on the information provided, Yolanda Cooper-Sutton appears to be an experienced and engaged community leader with a strong background in community health care and public service.","token":"d5uGgEIwdc"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"CHRIS","fullname":"CHRIS COPE","lastname":"COPE","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"gNLSpUBMLC"},{"bio_snippet":"Cruz Cope is an incumbent Hancock County Commissioner for District 1.","biography":"Cruz Cope is a current member of the Hancock County Commission, representing District 1 [10]. He serves alongside commissioners Clayton Ramsey and Kenneth Rasnic for that district [10]. All county commission members in Hancock County are elected to four-year terms [10].","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Cruz","fullname":"Cruz Cope","lastname":"Cope","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Cruz Cope is an incumbent Hancock County Commissioner for District 1.","token":"08Npoljj2e"},{"bio_snippet":"Republican challenger for Hawkins County Commission District 6 on the August 6, 2026 ballot.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nEdwin Cope is the Republican Party nominee for one of Hawkins County Commission District 6's two seats on the August 6, 2026 general-election ballot, in a three-way contest with incumbent Republican Nancy T. Barker and independent Dane Chisholm [1]. Local coverage of the January 2026 filing period identified him as a challenger for the seat [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Official Ballot, Hawkins County, August 6, 2026](https://hawkinscountytn.gov/pdfs/elections/sample_ballot.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[2] [Hawkins voters have plenty of options](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/news/article_a72b5833-32a6-408c-84a9-21f45511c5f5.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18","birthdate":null,"firstname":"EDWIN","fullname":"EDWIN COPE","lastname":"COPE","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Republican challenger for Hawkins County Commission District 6 on the August 6, 2026 ballot.","token":"uyCkqoiYRj"},{"bio_snippet":"Jimmy Cope, a Republican candidate for Pickett County Road Superintendent, currently serves as Highway Chief Admin Officer and admitted to misusing county resources by delivering gravel to private properties.","biography":"Jimmy Cope is a Republican candidate for Road Superintendent in Pickett County, Tennessee, with an election date of August 6, 2026 [1]. He currently serves as the Highway Chief Administrative Officer for Pickett County, a role listed on the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) directory [1]. His official county office is located at 110 Sunset Drive, P.O. Box 429, Byrdstown, TN 38549, with contact information provided via the email pickettcohwy@twlakes.net and phone number (931) 864-3639 [1].\n\nCope\u2019s tenure in office has been marked by a documented controversy regarding the use of county resources. An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury revealed that Cope admitted to directing county-purchased gravel and rock to be delivered to private properties within Pickett County [13]. According to the Comptroller\u2019s findings, county employees were ordered to transport these materials using county trucks to multiple private residences [13]. The investigation estimated that this practice involved as many as four loads of gravel per week, costing the county at least $13,205 annually [13].\n\nIn response to the Comptroller\u2019s inquiry, Cope stated that he would provide county gravel to any Pickett County citizen who requested it [13]. However, he also told investigators that he never asked for votes and never received money in exchange for providing the gravel and rock [13]. The Comptroller\u2019s office noted that the activity raised questions about the use of taxpayer-funded resources and could expose the county to potential liability regarding injuries or damage resulting from the use of county equipment on private property [13]. Cope has been identified as the Highway Superintendent in relation to these admissions [13].","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jimmy","fullname":"Jimmy Cope","lastname":"Cope","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Jimmy Cope, a Republican candidate for Pickett County Road Superintendent, currently serves as Highway Chief Admin Officer and admitted to misusing county resources by delivering gravel to private properties.","token":"1Ewk9ySDte"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"TRAYE","fullname":"TRAYE COPE","lastname":"COPE","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"XrJdsXLXzl"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Darden Copeland ran in the Democratic primary for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election held on October 7, 2025, to replace retiring Congressman Mark Green. He lost to state Representative Aftyn Behn by approximately 933 votes. H","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDarden Copeland ran in the Democratic primary for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election held on October 7, 2025, to replace retiring Congressman Mark Green. He lost to state Representative Aftyn Behn by approximately 933 votes. He has since filed to run again for the same seat in the 2026 election cycle.\n\nCopeland has emphasized banning stock trading by members of Congress, refusing corporate PAC money, and focusing on accountability over partisanship. He ran as a business-minded outsider distinct from the state legislators in the field.\n\n## Background and education\nCopeland was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and grew up in Culpeper, Virginia, in a working-class household where his father owned an industrial uniform company. He attended the University of Richmond on student loans and multiple jobs, earning degrees in Political Science and Leadership Studies with a minor in Communications.\n\n## Career\nAfter college, Copeland spent his early career working to elect Democrats nationally on congressional and presidential campaigns. In 2005 he moved into public affairs and entrepreneurship, founding Calvert Street Group, a national public affairs firm headquartered in Nashville. The firm has operated campaigns across 46 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, specializing in land use, energy infrastructure, and issue advocacy. He moved to Nashville in 2008. He has also purchased and renovated several historic properties in downtown Nashville.\n\nHe serves on the boards of Historic Nashville, Inc. and the Nashville Wine Auction, which supports local cancer charities. He is an Elder at Woodmont Christian Church.\n\n## Family\nHe is married to Natalie Copeland. They have two children and a rescue dog named Kathy. He enjoys live music, stand-up comedy, and coaching youth sports.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Meet Darden \u2013 Darden Copeland For Congress](https://www.dardenforcongress.com/meetdarden)\n- [2] [Nashville businessman Darden Copeland enters Democratic primary in Congressional District 7 \u2013 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/nashville-businessman-darden-copeland-enters-democratic-primary-in-congressional-district-7/)\n- [3] [Copeland's Stance on Economy, Immigration, and Education \u2013 Nashville Banner](https://nashvillebanner.com/2025/09/10/darden-copeland-democrat-district7/)\n- [4] [Darden Copeland \u2013 Historic Nashville, Inc.](https://www.historicnashvilleinc.org/board-members/darden-copeland/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Darden","fullname":"Darden Copeland","lastname":"Copeland","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"3QcGD293l1"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign David Copeland currently represents District 9 on the Tipton County Commission 1 and is a candidate for that seat as a Republican in the August 6, 2026 Tipton County general election. Career Copeland has worked with public entities on payroll issu","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDavid Copeland currently represents District 9 on the Tipton County Commission[1] and is a candidate for that seat as a Republican in the August 6, 2026 Tipton County general election.\n\n## Career\nCopeland has worked with public entities on payroll issues and on employee attraction, retention and engagement[2].\n\nAfter first winning his commission seat in 2018, Copeland said he canvassed roughly 1,000 doors in his district and, hearing from many constituents that they did not know who their county commissioner was, made expanding outreach and communication with residents a focus of his time in office[2].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Legislative Body \u2013 Tipton County Government](https://tiptonco.com/government/legislative_body/index.php)\n- [2] [Now I know to remember why I'm there \u2013 National Association of Counties](https://www.naco.org/news/now-i-know-remember-why-im-there)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"David","fullname":"David Copeland","lastname":"Copeland","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"kNi2WBjfdW"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Jones County since 1976.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Fernanda Gayle Copeland is a registered voter in Jones County, North Carolina, registered since 1976 (50 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Fernanda Gayle Copeland's year of birth as 1955; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [1].\n\nThe voter history file shows 12 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [2].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Fernanda Gayle Copeland can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Fernanda","fullname":"Fernanda Gayle Copeland","lastname":"Copeland","middlename":"Gayle","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Jones County since 1976.","token":"f1e2a70133c463bc"},{"bio_snippet":"Incumbent Pickett County District 2 commissioner (Republican), elected 2022; seeking re-election in a contested four-way race for three seats in 2026.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nFrancis Copeland is a sitting Pickett County commissioner for District 2 and is seeking re-election on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot as a Republican [1][2]. District 2 elects three commissioners; four candidates are running for the three seats in 2026 (Copeland, Jim Richardson, Deborah B. Garrett and Pacey K. Rector), making it a contested race [1].\n\n## Office history\nCopeland was elected to the District 2 seat in the 2022 county general election, finishing among the top three in a four-candidate field [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [2026 August Sample Official Ballot, Pickett County](https://www.pickettelection.info/2026AugR&G.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Current Elected Office Holders and Dates of Next Elections - Pickett County Election Commission](https://www.pickettelection.info/OfficeHolders.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [2022 Election Results - Pickett County Election Commission](https://www.pickettelection.info/2022Results.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Francis","fullname":"Francis Copeland","lastname":"Copeland","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Incumbent Pickett County District 2 commissioner (Republican), elected 2022; seeking re-election in a contested four-way race for three seats in 2026.","token":"uPRiYDrAnG"},{"bio_snippet":"Anderson County Trustee since 2018, running unopposed for reelection in 2026; previously managed the county's 911 dispatch office for 18 years.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRegina Copeland is the Republican Anderson County Trustee, running unopposed for reelection in the August 6, 2026 county general election after no other candidate qualified for the office [1][2].\n\n## Career\nA lifelong resident of Anderson County, Copeland managed the county's 911 dispatch office for 18 years before running for trustee in 2017; she was elected and took office in 2018 [3][4].\n\n## Office history\nAs Trustee, Copeland collects county property taxes and state/federal funds, disburses funds to the school system and county general fund, and invests county funds until needed [1].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\nCopeland and her husband, Keith Copeland, are business partners in an electrical business in Clinton [5].\n\n## Family\nCopeland is married to Keith Copeland; they have two children [5].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Trustee \u2013 Anderson County, Tennessee](https://andersoncountytn.gov/trustee/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Update: More candidates file for Anderson County races \u2014 The Courier News](https://www.mycouriernews.com/articles/2026/01/10600/update-more-candidates-file-for-anderson-county-races) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [911 Director Regina Copeland will seek the Office of Anderson County Trustee \u2014 WYSH AM 1380](https://www.wyshradio.com/2017/07/911-director-regina-copeland-will-seek-the-office-of-anderson-county-trustee/) \u2014 accessed via search index 2026-07-06\n[4] [911 director running for Anderson County trustee \u2014 Oak Ridge Today](https://oakridgetoday.com/2017/07/20/911-director-running-anderson-county-trustee/) \u2014 accessed via search index 2026-07-06\n[5] [Trustee | UT County Technical Assistance Service](https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/official/regina-copeland) \u2014 accessed via search index 2026-07-06\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Regina","fullname":"Regina Copeland","lastname":"Copeland","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Anderson County Trustee since 2018, running unopposed for reelection in 2026; previously managed the county's 911 dispatch office for 18 years.","token":"pWU0vi85xp"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"SHANE","fullname":"SHANE COPELAND","lastname":"COPELAND","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"lUfdTpiQ1b"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Montgomery County since 1997.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDolon Wilson Corbett ran as a Republican candidate for one of two at-large seats on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners in the March 3, 2026 primary, one of four Republican candidates. He placed fourth (last) with 349 votes (13.1%); Steve Hair (1,047 votes, 39.2%) and Michael Criscoe (659 votes, 24.7%) advanced as the top two vote-getters. Corbett will not appear on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot [1].\n\n## Background\nAccording to the North Carolina voter file, Dolon Wilson Corbett is a registered voter in Montgomery County, North Carolina, registered since 1997 (29 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [2].\n\nThe voter file shows Dolon Wilson Corbett's year of birth as 1935; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [2].\n\nThe voter history file shows 10 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [3].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Dolon Wilson Corbett can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] North Carolina State Board of Elections, certified March 3, 2026 primary/election results by precinct (`results_pct_20260303.txt`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-24\n[2] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Dolon","fullname":"Dolon Wilson Corbett","lastname":"Corbett","middlename":"Wilson","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Montgomery County since 1997.","token":"f0d03a12a8582456"},{"bio_snippet":"Kevin Corbin is the Republican State Senator for North Carolina\u2019s District\u202f50, seeking re\u2011election in 2026 after a career in insurance, local government, and state legislation.","biography":"Harold\u202fKevin\u202fCorbin, known as Kevin Corbin, is the incumbent Republican State Senator for North Carolina\u2019s 50th District, which covers Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and Transylvania counties. He is on the ballot for re\u2011election in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election, and the Republican primary was cancelled, allowing him to advance automatically to the November ballot [1].\n\nCorbin was born in Macon County, North Carolina, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1979. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Business Management from Appalachian State University in 1983, where he also served as news editor for the university newspaper [1][14].\n\nBefore entering politics, Corbin built a career in the insurance and business sectors. He founded The Corbin Agency (later The Corbin Insurance Agency) in 1983 and later became a partner in Blue Ridge Insurance Group. He has also served as President of the BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Agents Advisory Board since 1989. His community involvement includes membership on the Franklin Rotary, the Holly Springs Baptist Church, the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees, the Franklin Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Southwestern Community College Foundation Board of Directors [14].\n\nCorbin\u2019s elected service began at the local level, where he chaired the Macon County Board of Commissioners from 2012 to 2016. He was then elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives for District\u202f120, serving from 2017 to 2021. During his House tenure he held the position of Deputy Majority Whip (2019\u20112021) and chaired the Insurance Committee, among other assignments [14].\n\nIn 2020, Corbin won election to the North Carolina State Senate, taking office on January\u202f1,\u202f2021. He has been re\u2011elected for successive terms, with his current term set to end on January\u202f1,\u202f2027. In the Senate he has chaired several key committees, including the Appropriations Committee on Education/Higher Education and the Education/Higher Education Committee, and he serves on the Appropriations on Health and Human Services, Commerce and Insurance, Health Care, State and Local Government, and Pensions and Retirement and Aging committees for the 2025\u20112026 session [1].\n\nCorbin\u2019s legislative focus has centered on education funding, health\u2011care policy, and economic development for his largely rural district. He has sponsored and co\u2011sponsored legislation related to school finance reform, insurance regulation, and infrastructure improvements, reflecting his background in business and insurance. His leadership roles on education and health\u2011care appropriations committees position him to influence budgetary decisions affecting schools and hospitals across the state [1].\n\nOutside the Capitol, Corbin remains active in his community, continuing to operate his insurance businesses and participating in local civic organizations. He resides in Franklin, North Carolina, with his wife Beth and their two children, Matt and Maggie [14].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Kevin Corbin - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kevin_Corbin)\n- [8] [Senator Kevin Corbin - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/s/433)\n- [11] [Vote-USA | Harold Kevin \"Kevin\" Corbin | Currently Elected State Senator District 50, North Carolina](https://vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?State=NC&Id=NCCorbinHaroldKevin)\n- [14] [Kevin Corbin's Biography](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/166642/kevin-corbin)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Harold","fullname":"Harold Kevin Corbin","lastname":"Corbin","middlename":"Kevin","suffix":null,"summary":"Kevin Corbin is the Republican State Senator for North Carolina\u2019s District\u202f50, seeking re\u2011election in 2026 after a career in insurance, local government, and state legislation.","token":"6fec9aedd402b13a"},{"bio_snippet":"Felicia Corbin-Johnson is a public figure who was elected as a County Circuit Judge Division 1 on September 1, 2014. There is no information available about her education, work history, community involvement, or previous campaigns. As of the current date, September 3, 2023, she is still serving in her elected position, with her term set to end on September 1, 2030.","biography":"Elected Circuit Court Judge September 1, 2014\n\nPursuant to the modified Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court re: Covid-19, Circuit Court Division 1 is revising and implementing these procedures.","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Felicia","fullname":"Felicia Corbin-Johnson","lastname":"Corbin-Johnson","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Felicia Corbin-Johnson is a public figure who was elected as a County Circuit Judge Division 1 on September 1, 2014. There is no information available about her education, work history, community involvement, or previous campaigns. As of the current date, September 3, 2023, she is still serving in her elected position, with her term set to end on September 1, 2030.","token":"4AjH5FHsi7"}]