[{"bio_snippet":"Chip Baker is a Republican incumbent serving his second term as Hamilton County Commissioner for District 2, seeking re-election against Brad Wardlaw in the May 2026 primary.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nChip Baker is a Republican politician serving as the Hamilton County Commissioner for District 2 in Tennessee [1]. He resides in Signal Mountain and has lived in the area for over 30 years [6]. Baker first entered public office in 2018, winning election to the Hamilton County Commission [7]. He previously served on the Hamilton County Board of Education for 12 years, including three years as its chairman [5, 11]. His professional background includes a 20-year career as a hospital administrator and 19 years in event management [11]. Baker holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the College of Wooster and a master's degree in health services administration from George Washington University [5, 6]. He works as a management consultant and serves on the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority board [5, 6].\n\nDuring his tenure, Baker has held significant leadership roles within the commission. In 2022, he was elected chairman of the Hamilton County Commission by a unanimous vote of his colleagues [8]. As District 2 Commissioner, he serves as Chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee and as an Alternate member of the Finance and Budget Committee [1]. He has also been elected multiple times to serve as chairman and vice-chairman during his various terms [5].\n\nIn August 2025, Baker announced his bid for a third term on the commission [4, 5]. He faces Republican challenger Brad Wardlaw in the May 5, 2026, primary election [12]. Baker's campaign priorities include responsible growth, infrastructure development for roads and sewers, and economic development through collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce [6]. His campaign reported approximately $40,000 on hand in early 2026, with donations from figures such as U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and former Chattanooga Mayor Jon Kinsey [6].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nBaker's legislative record includes voting against a version of Plan Hamilton that included amendments requested by the Homebuilders Association, citing opposition from District 2 residents [3, 9]. He voted for County Resolution 325-17, which mandated that decentralized sewage systems be regulated and operated by the Hamilton County Wastewater Authority [3, 9]. Baker also supported the creation of a dedicated Hamilton County Planning Department [3, 9]. In early 2026, he played a key role in separating the Regional Planning Agency from Chattanooga to address specific district needs regarding infrastructure and zoning [6].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Chip Baker, District 2 Commissioner, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/District2.aspx)\n- [2] [County Commission Committees, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/CountyCommission_Committees.aspx)\n- [3] [Why I Support Chip Baker For Hamilton County Commission District 2 \u2014 Response \u2014 Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/4/28/517902/Why-I-Support-Chip-Baker-For-Hamilton.aspx)\n- [4] [Chip Baker to seek third term on Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/aug/25/chip-baker-to-seek-third-term-on-hamilton-county/)\n- [5] [Chip Baker Announces Re-Election Bid For Hamilton County Commission \u2014 Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/8/25/507616/Chip-Baker-Announces-Re-Election-Bid.aspx)\n- [6] [Incumbent Chip Baker stresses infrastructure needs in Hamilton County | Chattanooga Times Free Press](http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/04/incumbent-chip-baker-stresses-infrastructure/)\n- [7] [Chip Baker running for re-election to Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2021/dec/08/chip-baker-running-re-electihamiltcounty-comm/)\n- [8] [Hamilton County Commission elects new chairman, vice chairman | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2022/sep/07/hamilton-county-commission-elects-baker-chair/)\n- [9] [Why I Support Chip Baker For Hamilton County Commission District 2 \u2014 Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/4/24/517902/Why-I-Support-Chip-Baker-For-Hamilton.aspx)\n- [10] [Chattanooga Free Press endorses Chip Baker in Hamilton County Commission District 2 | Chattanooga Times Free Press](http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/11/opinion-chattanooga-free-press-endorses-chip/)\n- [11] [Voter guide: Chip Baker, Hamilton County Commission District 2 | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://projects.timesfreepress.com/2018/07/voterguide/HCComm2ChipBaker.html)\n- [12] [Republican Brad Wardlaw running against Hamilton County Commissioner Chip Baker | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/mar/25/republican-brad-wardlaw-running-against-hamilton/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Chip","fullname":"Chip Baker","lastname":"Baker","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Chip Baker is a Republican incumbent serving his second term as Hamilton County Commissioner for District 2, seeking re-election against Brad Wardlaw in the May 2026 primary.","token":"YRnYuxeV3K"},{"bio_snippet":"David Baker Sr., incumbent District 10B judge in North Carolina, is running for re\u2011election in 2026.","biography":"David Baker Sr. is the incumbent judge for District 10B Seat\u202f1 of the North Carolina 10th Judicial District and is seeking re\u2011election in the general election on November\u202f3,\u202f2026. He was first appointed to the bench on June\u202f7,\u202f2019 by Governor Roy Cooper and his current term is set to expire on December\u202f31,\u202f2026 [3].\n\nBaker earned his bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later received his Juris Doctor from the North Carolina Central School of Law [3].\n\nBefore joining the judiciary, he served as the principal attorney at the Law Office of David K. Baker and worked as a staff attorney for Legal Aid of North Carolina. He has also held leadership roles in the legal and civic community, including vice\u2011chairmanship of the Wake County Bar Association Membership Services Committee and the Raleigh Area Development Authority, as well as chairmanship of the African\u2011American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County [3].\n\nIn the 2022 election, Baker was elected to a full term, receiving 100\u202f% of the vote (37,605 votes) in an uncontested race. The Democratic primary for his 2026 re\u2011election was canceled, allowing him to advance automatically to the November general ballot, where he will again appear as the Democratic candidate for the same judicial seat [3].\n\n## Sources\n- [3] [David Baker Sr. - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Baker_Sr.)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"David","fullname":"David Kelsey Baker","lastname":"Baker","middlename":"Kelsey","suffix":null,"summary":"David Baker Sr., incumbent District 10B judge in North Carolina, is running for re\u2011election in 2026.","token":"13f72795b9e10b77"},{"bio_snippet":"Incumbent Hardin County school board member for District 8 and board vice-chairman, running for re-election in 2026.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDavid Baker appears on the August 6, 2026 Hardin County general-election ballot as a Republican Party Nominee for School Board, District 8 (vote for one) [1]. Independent candidate David Carroll also appears on the District 8 school board ballot [1].\n\n## Office history\nBaker is an incumbent member of the Hardin County Board of Education and has served as the board's vice-chairman [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Hardin County General Election Sample Ballot, August 6, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.hardincoelections.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/GEN-Website-Sample.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Hardin County Board of Education - Board Members and Meetings](https://www.hardincoschools.com/board-members-and-meetings/) - accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"David","fullname":"David Baker","lastname":"Baker","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Incumbent Hardin County school board member for District 8 and board vice-chairman, running for re-election in 2026.","token":"accDsDtGON"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Deborah Annette Baker is a candidate for Town Council in Harrellsville, a town in Hertford County, North Carolina 1 . She ran in the March 3, 2026 election for Harrellsville Town Council Member, which was a court ordered do over of the 2025 munici","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nDeborah Annette Baker is a candidate for Town Council in Harrellsville, a town in Hertford County, North Carolina [1]. She ran in the March 3, 2026 election for Harrellsville Town Council Member, which was a court-ordered do-over of the 2025 municipal election after poll workers failed to properly verify voter eligibility [2]. Under the rules of the 2026 race, the top five vote-getters among all candidates would be seated on the council [1]. Baker received 12 votes in the March 3 contest [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Primary Election 2026 unofficial election results \u2013 Albemarle Observer](https://albemarleobserver.news/2026/03/04/primary-election-2026-unofficial-election-results/)\n- [2] [Do-over: Two NC towns must redo '25 elections in March '26 \u2013 Carolina Public Press](https://carolinapublicpress.org/73939/do-over-two-nc-towns-must-redo-25-elections-in-march-26/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Deborah","fullname":"Deborah Annette Baker","lastname":"Baker","middlename":"Annette","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"fca9b1dc5803f53b"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"DUSTIN","fullname":"DUSTIN BAKER","lastname":"BAKER","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"8yHzhydnrC"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jerry","fullname":"Jerry Baker","lastname":"Baker","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"UJhQr2icU5"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"JOHN","fullname":"JOHN A. BAKER","lastname":"BAKER","middlename":"A.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"4OFmZ6gWah"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Justin","fullname":"Justin Baker","lastname":"Baker","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"75kGczJRDz"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Person County since 2007.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Peter Lemuel Baker is a registered voter in Person County, North Carolina, registered since 2007 (19 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Peter Lemuel Baker's year of birth as 1959; 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 11 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 Peter Lemuel Baker 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":"Peter","fullname":"Peter Lemuel Baker","lastname":"Baker","middlename":"Lemuel","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Person County since 2007.","token":"e09033d05c911f12"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Richard G. Baker of Johnson City, Tennessee is running as an independent candidate for Tennessee's 1st Congressional District in 2026 1 3 . He is scheduled to appear on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot 2 . This marks Baker's fourth cam","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRichard G. Baker of Johnson City, Tennessee is running as an independent candidate for Tennessee's 1st Congressional District in 2026 [1][3]. He is scheduled to appear on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot [2]. This marks Baker's fourth campaign for the seat: he first ran in the 2020 Republican primary, then ran as an independent in the 2022 and 2024 general elections [3].\n\nBaker has called for reforming the federal legislative process by limiting each bill to a single subject or item, arguing that such a rule would allow legislation to be evaluated on its own merits [1][4].\n\n## Background and education\nBaker holds a GED plus approximately one and a half years of college coursework [1]. He served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1974 and received an honorable discharge [1].\n\n## Career\nAfter his military service, Baker worked as a seasonal worker in Gatlinburg, Tennessee from approximately 1980 to 2000 [1]. He subsequently worked as a PTI taxi driver assigned to the CSX Transportation railroad yard in Erwin, Tennessee from March 2005 to October 2016 [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Meet the Candidates: Richard Baker for Tennessee's 1st Congressional District \u2013 WJHL](https://www.wjhl.com/news/your-local-election-hq/meet-the-candidates-richard-baker-for-tennessees-1st-congressional-district-seat/)\n- [2] [Tennessee's redrawn congressional districts: A full guide to every candidate running in 2026 \u2013 NewsChannel 5](https://www.newschannel5.com/news/tennessees-redrawn-congressional-districts-a-full-guide-to-every-candidate-running-in-2026)\n- [3] [Congressional candidate Q and A: Richard Baker \u2013 WJHL](https://www.wjhl.com/news/congressional-candidate-q-and-a-richard-baker/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Richard G.","fullname":"Richard G. Baker","lastname":"Baker","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"EDYWiIX7Tl"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Theodore \"Butch\" Baker is a Republican candidate for Tennessee State Senate District 17, which covers portions of Davidson and Wilson counties 1 2 . He declared his candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 2 , challenging ","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nTheodore \"Butch\" Baker is a Republican candidate for Tennessee State Senate District 17, which covers portions of Davidson and Wilson counties [1][2]. He declared his candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [2], challenging incumbent Senator Mark Pody. Baker's campaign is organized around the themes of faith, family, freedom, and fiscal responsibility [1].\n\nBaker's published campaign priorities include protecting the state constitution, ensuring quality education and safe schools, improving roads and public transportation, maintaining low state taxes, and expanding access to quality healthcare for all Tennesseans [1].\n\n## Background and education\nBaker was raised in Sweetwater, Tennessee. His father served as a Methodist minister for 47 years, and his mother served as a City Commissioner in Sweetwater for more than 12 years [1]. Baker is a graduate of the Tennessee Military Institute and subsequently attended Officer Candidate School with the U.S. Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia [1]. He later attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is a graduate of the Leadership Music program in Nashville [1].\n\n## Career\nBaker has spent approximately 46 years working in the music industry as a recording artist, songwriter, producer, and publishing executive [1]. In the 1980s he recorded for Mercury, Arista, Sony, and Warner Brothers, releasing multiple singles and the album \"We Will\" [1]. In the 1990s he transitioned into music publishing, leading Encore Publishing before spending 14 years at HoriPro Publishing, where he served as Senior Vice President of Creative [1]. He remains an active songwriter registered with BMI [1].\n\nBaker currently serves as a chaplain for both the Berry Hill Police Department and the City of Berry Hill [1]. He is a member of the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce [2].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Butch Baker for TN State Senate \u2013 butchbaker.com](https://butchbaker.com/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Theodore (Butch)","fullname":"Theodore (Butch) Baker","lastname":"Baker","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"8V33lUtOBa"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Richmond County since 2004.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, William Scotty Baldwin is a registered voter in Richmond County, North Carolina, registered since 2004 (22 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows William Scotty Baldwin's year of birth as 1986; 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 11 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 William Scotty Baldwin 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":"William","fullname":"William Scotty Baldwin","lastname":"Baldwin","middlename":"Scotty","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Richmond County since 2004.","token":"804eddaab92639b7"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"JASON","fullname":"JASON BALES","lastname":"BALES","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"9w1KB9pGht"},{"bio_snippet":"Republican nominee for Jefferson County Mayor; a New Market farmer and three-term District 7 county commissioner who won the May 2026 GOP primary with about 63%.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRandy L. Bales is the Republican nominee for Jefferson County Mayor in the August 6, 2026 county general election, opposed by independent candidate Carl Robert Eggers Sr.[1] He won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary with 4,261 votes (about 63%), defeating Austin Brooks.[2] In candidate forums, Bales called for concentrating commercial, industrial, and tourism development along Highways 92, 11E, and 25/70 and near interstate exits to diversify county revenue while preserving the county's rural character, citing an estimate that \"for every dollar that a residence brings in, infrastructure costs $1.07.\"[3] He expressed caution about a proposed mineral-extraction tax, saying he \"would be scared to put that many good paying jobs in jeopardy\" without more information, and agreed the county zoning office needs additional staff.[3]\n\n## Background and education\nBales lives in the New Market area of Jefferson County, where he farms.[3]\n\n## Career\nBales is a farmer.[3]\n\n## Office history\nBefore running for mayor, Bales served three terms as Jefferson County Commissioner for District 7; he chose to run for mayor rather than seek re-election to his commission seat.[4] As a commissioner he was appointed to county committees, including committees overseeing county facilities and property.[5]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Official Sample Ballot, Jefferson County TN, August 6, 2026](https://jeffersoncountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/JCTN_August-6-2026-Sample-Ballot.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Bales wins Republican nomination for County Mayor](https://www.standardbanner.com/articles/news/bales-wins-republican-nomination-for-county-mayor/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [County mayor candidates share views (The Standard Banner)](https://www.standardbanner.com/articles/featured-stories/top-story-county-mayor-candidates-share-views/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[4] [In The News, Randy Bales for Jefferson County Mayor](https://www.randybales.org/news-press-releases) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[5] [Jefferson County Commissions/Boards/Committees (April 2026)](https://jeffersoncountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alpha-Chart-April-2026.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"RANDY","fullname":"RANDY L. BALES","lastname":"BALES","middlename":"L.","suffix":null,"summary":"Republican nominee for Jefferson County Mayor; a New Market farmer and three-term District 7 county commissioner who won the May 2026 GOP primary with about 63%.","token":"xlZBMoWoGQ"},{"bio_snippet":"Jennifer Capps Balkcom is the Republican incumbent for North Carolina House District\u202f117, running for re\u2011election in 2026.","biography":"Jennifer Capps Balkcom is the incumbent Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 117 and is seeking re\u2011election in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election\u202f[1][2]. The 117th district covers most of Henderson County in western North Carolina. As a state legislator she serves a two\u2011year term that began on January\u202f1,\u202f2023 and runs through January\u202f1,\u202f2027\u202f[1][2].\n\nBalkcom was born and raised in Henderson County, graduating from East Henderson High School before earning an associate degree in Business Administration/Banking and Finance from Blue Ridge Community College in 2016\u202f[1][9]. She has spent her professional career in the banking and mortgage\u2011lending industry, advancing from teller to branch manager and later to mortgage loan officer, most recently with ALCOVA Mortgage\u202f[11].\n\nHer community involvement is extensive. She has held leadership positions as vice president of the Hendersonville Women\u2019s Club and the Hendersonville Lions Club, and served as treasurer of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Western North Carolina\u202f[1][11]. Balkcom also sits on the boards of the Henderson County Education Foundation, the Advent Health Foundation, the Henderson County Planning Board, and the non\u2011profit The Store House, among others\u202f[1][11][20].\n\nIn the legislature Balkcom has been assigned to several key committees, including Agriculture, Banking, House Finance, Local Government \u2013 Land Use, Planning and Development, and State Government during the 2023\u20112024 session\u202f[1][15]. She has sponsored a range of bills, such as the \u201cBack the Blue Pay Act\u201d (HB\u202f42) and the \u201cFarmers Protection Act\u201d (HB\u202f62), reflecting interests in public safety, agricultural preservation, and property rights\u202f[6].\n\nBalkcom\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes conservative priorities: returning to paper ballots and ballot inspection, strict border enforcement, eliminating the state income tax, protecting Second Amendment rights, defending the unborn, supporting parental rights, school choice, and opposing critical race theory\u202f[10]. She describes herself as a \u201cproven conservative fighter\u201d who grew up on a family farm and has deep roots in Henderson County\u202f[10][20].\n\nIf re\u2011elected, Balkcom will continue to represent the interests of Henderson County residents in the state House, drawing on her banking expertise, legislative experience, and long\u2011standing community service.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Jennifer Balkcom - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jennifer_Balkcom)\n- [2] [Jennifer Capps Balkcom - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jennifer_Capps_Balkcom)\n- [3] [Michael O'Shea (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_O'Shea_(North_Carolina))\n- [4] [Representative Jennifer Balkcom - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/DistrictRepresentation/H/117)\n- [5] [Representative Jennifer Balkcom - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/820)\n- [6] [Representative Jennifer Balkcom's Introduced Bills - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/IntroducedBills/H/820)\n- [9] [Jennifer Balkcom - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Balkcom)\n- [10] [Jennifer Balkcom for State House](https://www.votebalkcom.com/)\n- [11] [Jennifer Balkcom's Biography](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/202758/jennifer-balkcom)\n- [14] [Jennifer Balkcom - Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124668538)\n- [15] [Jennifer Balkcom \u2013 North Carolina State Representative](https://repbio.org/jennifer-balkcom/)\n- [18] [Jennifer Balkcom - North Carolina House Republican Caucus](https://www.nchouserepublicans.com/members/jennifer-balkcom/)\n- [19] [Jennifer Balkcom - Representative from North Carolina](https://sengov.com/states/north-carolina/jennifer-balkcom/)\n- [20] [Get to know Rep.-elect Jennifer Balkcom - NC Tribune](https://nctribune.com/news/2022/dec/09/get-to-know-rep-elect-jennifer-balkcom/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jennifer","fullname":"Jennifer Capps Balkcom","lastname":"Balkcom","middlename":"Capps","suffix":null,"summary":"Jennifer Capps Balkcom is the Republican incumbent for North Carolina House District\u202f117, running for re\u2011election in 2026.","token":"48bf2461c322d4da"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"C.J.","fullname":"C.J. BALL","lastname":"BALL","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"vc0gQD92aT"},{"bio_snippet":"Cynthia Ball, Democrat, is the incumbent NC House member for District\u202f49 seeking re\u2011election in 2026.","biography":"Cynthia J.\u202fBall is the incumbent Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District\u202f49 and is seeking re\u2011election in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election [1][9]. The North Carolina Constitution requires state House members to be at least 21\u202fyears old, a United States citizen, a resident of North Carolina for at least two\u202fyears and a resident of the district they wish to represent for one\u202fyear prior to election; candidates must also file financial disclosures and meet filing deadlines [1].\n\nBall was born in Franklin County, North Carolina, and excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian of her public high school before earning a BA in psychology, magna cum laude and Phi\u202fBeta\u202fKappa, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She later obtained an MBA in marketing research from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed doctoral coursework in human resources and organizational development at North Carolina State University [12][7].\n\nBefore entering elected office, Ball built a career in higher\u2011education development and fundraising, serving as director of external affairs at North Carolina State University, executive director of two university foundations, and director of development at William Peace University. She also worked in marketing research after her MBA. Since 2011 she has served on the Raleigh Civil Service Commission and currently practices as a certified mediator with the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission [12][2].\n\nBall was first elected to the state House in 2016, defeating Republican incumbent Gary\u202fPendleton, and has been re\u2011elected in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, most recently running unopposed in the 2024 Democratic primary and winning the general election with 100\u202f% of the vote after the Republican candidate withdrew [5][1]. She is in her fifth term, which runs through January\u202f1,\u202f2027. During her tenure she has held several leadership positions: Freshman Democratic Chair (2017\u201118), Democratic Whip (2019\u201121), Democratic Conference Chair (2023\u201124), and, as of the 2025\u201126 session, Deputy Democratic Leader of the House [12][18][2].\n\nBall\u2019s committee assignments have consistently placed her on appropriations, education, health, and election\u2011law committees. In the 2023\u201124 session she served on the Appropriations Committee, the Appropriations \u2013 Health and Human Services subcommittee, the Education \u2013 K\u201112 Committee, the Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform Committee, the Health Committee, and the Local Government \u2013 Land Use, Planning and Development Committee [1][5]. She has sponsored legislation focused on public\u2011education funding, teacher pipeline development, mental\u2011health crisis response, voter protection, and health\u2011care access, including bills to expand Medicaid (2023), make Election Day a state holiday, and improve veteran benefits [6][18][3].\n\nBeyond the legislature, Ball is active in community organizations, serving on the boards of the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh, WomenNC, and the Blue Ridge Corridor Alliance, and advising the NC New Teacher Support Program and the North Carolina Voter Project. She has been recognized with awards such as Representative of the Year from the NC League of Conservation Voters (2022) and a Legislative Excellence Award from the NC Police Benevolent Association (2025) [7][18].\n\nBall lives in Raleigh with her husband, Dr.\u202fDavid\u202fE.\u202fAspnes, a distinguished physics professor at NC\u202fState, and their blended family. She continues to practice mediation and engages constituents through town halls, district meetings, and a robust online presence via her campaign website and social media channels [7][9].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Cynthia Ball - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Cynthia_Ball)\n- [2] [Representative Cynthia Ball - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/711)\n- [3] [Representative Cynthia Ball's Introduced Bills - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/IntroducedBills/H/711)\n- [5] [Cynthia Ball - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_Ball)\n- [6] [Home | Cynthia Ball for NC House](https://www.cynthiafornc.com/)\n- [7] [MEET CYNTHIA | Cynthia Ball](https://www.cynthiafornc.com/meet-rep-ball)\n- [9] [NC District 49 | Cynthia Ball for NC House](https://www.cynthiafornc.com/new-district-49)\n- [10] [Cynthia Ball](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/166620/cynthia-ball)\n- [11] [EVENTS | Cynthia Ball for NC House](https://www.cynthiafornc.com/events)\n- [12] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/166620/cynthia-ball)\n- [15] [Rep. Cynthia Ball (@CynthiaforNC) / X](https://x.com/cynthiafornc?lang=en)\n- [16] [Twitter](https://twitter.com/cynthiafornc)\n- [17] [State Representative Cynthia Ball | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/22302)\n- [18] [Cynthia Ball - House District 49](https://nchousedems.com/our-members/cynthia-ball-house-district-49/)\n- [20] [North Carolina State Rep. Cynthia Ball - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/263158/Cynthia_Ball.html)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Cynthia","fullname":"Cynthia Jean Ball","lastname":"Ball","middlename":"Jean","suffix":null,"summary":"Cynthia Ball, Democrat, is the incumbent NC House member for District\u202f49 seeking re\u2011election in 2026.","token":"eb938d65c1c82a75"},{"bio_snippet":"Drew Ball is a candidate for Asheville City Council in North Carolina, receiving an endorsement from Asheville For All in February 2026.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDrew Ball, whose legal name is Daryl Andrew Ball, is a candidate for Asheville City Council in Buncombe County, North Carolina [1]. He is currently serving as a Buncombe County Commissioner representing District 3, a seat he chose not to seek re-election for after Republican legislators redrew partisan maps [2][3]. Ball led the March 3, 2026 primary field in a 20-candidate race with approximately 16 percent of the vote and advanced to the November general election, in which three seats are available [4][5].\n\nBall's Asheville City Council campaign centers on Hurricane Helene recovery, expanding housing options through zoning reform and partnerships with nonprofits, and economic vitality through streamlined permitting and support for local businesses and the arts [2][7].\n\n## Background and education\nBall grew up attending public schools in Western North Carolina. His mother was a special education teacher and his sister serves as superintendent of a large Western North Carolina school district [2]. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from NC State University and a Master of Public Administration from American University [2].\n\n## Career\nBall currently serves as Southeast Campaigns Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) [6]. Previously he served as Director of Environment North Carolina and has held roles with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Sierra Club, and the North Carolina General Assembly [2]. As a Buncombe County Commissioner, he focused on budget management, infrastructure investment, housing initiatives, and disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene [7]. He also served as Western Regional Director for Voter Protection during the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign [2].\n\nBall is a volunteer firefighter with Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department and served as Chief Public Information Officer during the Hurricane Helene emergency response [2]. He is a board member of the NC Sierra Club and a section maintainer for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail [2]. He is also an accomplished musician, performing with local bands [2].\n\n## Family\nBall is engaged to his partner Meaghan, with whom he shares their home along with two rescue dogs [2].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Drew Ball files for Asheville City Council \u2013 Mountain Xpress](https://mountainx.com/blogwire/drew-ball-files-for-asheville-city-council/)\n- [2] [Drew Ball for Asheville City Council \u2013 ball4yall.com](https://www.ball4yall.com/)\n- [3] [Buncombe County Commissioner District 3 \u2013 Buncombe County](https://www.buncombenc.gov/directory.aspx?eid=166)\n- [4] [Asheville City Council primary results \u2013 BPR](https://www.bpr.org/2026-03-03/asheville-city-council-primary-all-incumbents-plus-ball-young-and-burroughs-move-forward)\n- [5] [6 Asheville City Council candidates advance to Nov. election \u2013 WLOS](https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-city-council-candidates-advance-november-election-3-seats-available-drew-ball-maggie-ullman-jeffrey-burroughs-keith-young-antanette-mosley-sheneika-e-smith)\n- [6] [Drew Ball \u2013 BPR](https://www.bpr.org/drew-ball)\n- [7] [2026 City Council Candidate Survey \u2013 Drew Ball \u2013 Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce](https://www.ashevillechamber.org/news-events/2026-city-council-candidate-survey-drew-ball/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Daryl","fullname":"Daryl Andrew Ball","lastname":"Ball","middlename":"Andrew","suffix":null,"summary":"Drew Ball is a candidate for Asheville City Council in North Carolina, receiving an endorsement from Asheville For All in February 2026.","token":"b7a4febcfd7cc9de"},{"bio_snippet":"Jeremy Ball is a Republican judge appointed to Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District Circuit Court in 2025, running to hold the Part IV seat that serves Sevier County.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJeremy D. Ball is the Republican candidate for Circuit Court Judge, Part IV, in Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District (unexpired term), which covers Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier counties [1][2]. He was the only candidate to qualify in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary for the seat [3].\n\n## Background and education\nBall earned an undergraduate degree from Carson-Newman University (2000) and a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School (2003) [1][2].\n\n## Career\nBall began practicing law in 2003 and served as an assistant district attorney in the 20th Judicial District (2003-2004) and the 4th Judicial District (2004-2005), later working primarily out of the Jefferson County office [1][2]. Governor Bill Lee appointed him Circuit Court Judge for the Fourth Judicial District on January 17, 2025; he was sworn in on January 21, 2025 [2]. He is a member of the Federalist Society and the Tennessee Bar Association, and serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Dumplin Valley [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Jeremy D. Ball - Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/jeremy-d-ball-0) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Judge Jeremy Ball Appointed to Fourth Judicial District Circuit Court](https://www.tncourts.gov/news/2025/02/10/judge-jeremy-ball-appointed-fourth-judicial-district-circuit-court) - accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Sevier County May 5, 2026 Sample Ballot (Republican Primary)](https://www.wate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2026/04/Sevier-May-2026-Sample-Ballot.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-22","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jeremy","fullname":"Jeremy Ball","lastname":"Ball","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Jeremy Ball is a Republican judge appointed to Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District Circuit Court in 2025, running to hold the Part IV seat that serves Sevier County.","token":"pmn9nUxg4y"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Union County since 2023.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Michelle Marie Ball is a registered voter in Union County, North Carolina, registered since 2023 (3 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Michelle Marie Ball's year of birth as 1968; 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 5 elections voted in since 2023, 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 Michelle Marie Ball 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":"Michelle","fullname":"Michelle Marie Ball","lastname":"Ball","middlename":"Marie","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Union County since 2023.","token":"ddab2cc840e8a845"}]