[{"bio_snippet":"Democratic incumbent for Knox County school board District 4; a UT employee first elected in 2022 focused on early-literacy funding and funding equity.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nKatherine Bike is the Democratic incumbent for Knox County Board of Education District 4, representing West Knoxville, and is running for re-election in the August 6, 2026 general election against Republican Ashley Sartelle after being unopposed in the Democratic primary [1][2]. Her priorities are early-literacy funding for K-2 using evidence-based approaches, tracking and publicly reporting K-5 literacy data beyond the state's mandated third-grade retention numbers, equitable funding across urban, suburban and rural communities, and data-driven decisions rather than political pressure [1].\n\n## Background and education\nBike, 43, works at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and serves as a community health council member [1].\n\n## Office history\nBike was elected to the District 4 seat in 2022 [2]. On book policy she now believes \"the final decision should be with the board so that it can be an open and documented meeting,\" and prefers the term \"book removal\" over \"book bans\" to keep discussions productive [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Knox County Board of Education District 4 voter's guide (Knox News)](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/knox-county-board-education-district-073835341.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Knox County Board of Education member Katherine Bike to run for re-election (WBIR)](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/knox-county-board-of-education-member-katherine-bike-run-for-re-election/51-378c9f8a-af3f-4b54-a463-62975eb80567) - accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Katherine","fullname":"Katherine Bike","lastname":"Bike","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Democratic incumbent for Knox County school board District 4; a UT employee first elected in 2022 focused on early-literacy funding and funding equity.","token":"sljD1Q6ZqL"},{"bio_snippet":"Independent incumbent Scott County clerk seeking re-election; appointed 2nd vice president of the Tennessee County Clerks' Association in 2026.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nFelicia Hamby Bilbrey is the Scott County clerk and is seeking re-election in the August 6, 2026 general election as an independent, in a three-way race with Republican Amanda Chambers Sexton and independent Christina Kay Cross [1].\n\n## Office history and accomplishments\nBilbrey serves a four-year term as county clerk [2]. In May 2026 she was appointed 2nd vice president of the Tennessee County Clerks' Association at the association's conference [3].\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] [County Clerk - Scott County, TN](https://scottcounty.com/government/county-clerk/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Bilbrey Named Vice President at Conference - Scott County News](https://scnoneida.net/2026/05/26/bilbrey-named-vice-president-at-conference/) - accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Felicia","fullname":"Felicia Hamby Bilbrey","lastname":"Bilbrey","middlename":"Hamby","suffix":null,"summary":"Independent incumbent Scott County clerk seeking re-election; appointed 2nd vice president of the Tennessee County Clerks' Association in 2026.","token":"Jtpkth4SSR"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"SHAYNE","fullname":"SHAYNE BILBREY","lastname":"BILBREY","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"70yBneYfBk"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Stephen","fullname":"Stephen Bilbrey","lastname":"Bilbrey","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"gE52OPmgrP"},{"bio_snippet":"Regina Combs Billings, the incumbent Republican Clerk of Superior Court for Wilkes County, seeks re\u2011election after earning top marks in a state audit and serving since 2018.","biography":"Regina Combs Billings is the incumbent Clerk of Superior Court for Wilkes County, North Carolina, and is seeking re\u2011election as the Republican candidate in the 2026 race for the office. The Clerk of Superior Court is responsible for maintaining the county\u2019s judicial records, overseeing the general ledger that tracks all court\u2011related finances, managing evidence custody, and ensuring compliance with state audit standards across areas such as case\u2011file handling, cash disbursements, and human\u2011resources functions [1].\n\nBillings has served as the elected clerk since December 3, 2018, after a long career within the clerk\u2019s office spanning more than three decades. In an interview following a state\u2011mandated audit released in 2020, she highlighted that the office received an \u201ceffective\u201d rating in every evaluated category \u2014 the first such perfect result since the audit program began in 2014. The audit, conducted by the North Carolina Judicial Branch, examined the office\u2019s case\u2011file compliance, cash handling, general ledger accuracy, asset safeguarding, and evidence\u2011room procedures, all of which were found to meet or exceed standards [1].\n\nDuring the audit, Billings emphasized the importance of the general ledger, describing it as \u201cthe center of the clerk\u2019s office\u201d and noting its role in tracking a wide range of financial transactions, from trust funds for minors to traffic\u2011ticket fines and restitution payments. She credited her administrative assistant, Carla Royall, and Assistant Clerk Teresa Stone for their meticulous record\u2011keeping, which contributed to the clean audit outcome [1].\n\nBefore becoming the elected clerk, Billings worked for 31 years in various capacities within the Wilkes County clerk\u2019s office, gaining extensive experience in court administration and public service. The 2020 audit itself took place during North Carolina\u2019s COVID\u201119 shutdown, when the office was closed to walk\u2011in members of the public and business was conducted through the courthouse\u2019s front office window [1].\n\nIn the 2022 election cycle, Billings won the Republican primary on May 17, 2022 against Teresa Byers Stone, 6,834 votes to 3,397, and then ran unopposed in the November 8, 2022 general election, winning 21,198 votes, according to official North Carolina State Board of Elections results [2].\n\nBillings\u2019 platform for the 2026 race is expected to build on her record of achieving an exemplary audit rating, maintaining transparent financial practices, and ensuring the integrity of court records and evidence handling.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Clerk of court\u2019s office receives top marks in required state audit](https://www.journalpatriot.com/news/clerk-of-court-s-office-receives-top-marks-in-required-state-audit/article_7a50e868-d347-11ea-9c91-cfd79358399e.html) \u2014 Journal Patriot, July 31, 2020\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 official precinct-level results, Wilkes County Clerk of Superior Court, 2022 Republican primary (May 17, 2022) at https://dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2022_05_17/results_pct_20220517.zip and 2022 general election (November 8, 2022) at https://dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2022_11_08/results_pct_20221108.zip \u2014 accessed 2026-07-19","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Regina","fullname":"Regina Combs Billings","lastname":"Billings","middlename":"Combs","suffix":null,"summary":"Regina Combs Billings, the incumbent Republican Clerk of Superior Court for Wilkes County, seeks re\u2011election after earning top marks in a state audit and serving since 2018.","token":"59e96439649a7fee"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Republican candidate for Shelby County Board of Commissioners District 4 in the May 5, 2026 primary; running unopposed. AOL https://www.aol.com/articles/meet candidate district 4 shelby 093103164.html Public safety, education and workforce readine","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n- Republican candidate for Shelby County Board of Commissioners District 4 in the May 5, 2026 primary; running unopposed. ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidate-district-4-shelby-093103164.html))\n\n- Public safety, education and workforce readiness, and healthcare (with emphasis on mental health and substance use). ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidate-district-4-shelby-093103164.html))\n- Advocates for a unified strategic plan with the county mayor and commissioners. ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidate-district-4-shelby-093103164.html))\n- Opposes funding MATA, stating it is a City of Memphis responsibility. ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidate-district-4-shelby-093103164.html))\n\n## Background and education\n- Master\u2019s degree in Leadership and Public Service from Lipscomb University. ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidate-district-4-shelby-093103164.html))\n- Bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of Memphis. ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidate-district-4-shelby-093103164.html))\n\n## Office history\n- Shelby County Board of Commissioners District 4, 2014\u20132022. Re-elected in August 2018 with 68.2% of the vote. ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Billingsley))\n- Germantown Alderman and Vice Mayor. ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidate-district-4-shelby-093103164.html))\n- Chairman of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, leading the body during the COVID-19 pandemic. ([AOL](https://www.aol.com/articles/meet-candidate-district-4-shelby-093103164.html))\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n- **2026** \u2014 [County Commission (SS-8005)](https://conflict.app.tn.gov/conflict/view_form_8005.htm?name=BILLINGSLEY&id=14661&f=200994&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- Information not available in provided sources.\n\n\n\n---\n*Compiled from publicly available web sources on 2026-04-18.*\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Mark","fullname":"Mark Billingsley","lastname":"Billingsley","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"nSL4itTn8v"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Stokes County since 1986.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Steven Enea Bingman is a registered voter in Stokes County, North Carolina, registered since 1986 (40 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Steven Enea Bingman'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 9 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 Steven Enea Bingman can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\nSteven Enea Bingman was a candidate for Stokes County Sheriff in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary. He placed second of two candidates with 1,524 votes; Joey Lemons won the primary with 5,010 votes and is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot. Bingman did not advance, per certified North Carolina State Board of Elections results [3].\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/)\n\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections, certified March 3, 2026 election results (`results_pct_20260303.txt`), https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip \u2014 accessed 2026-07-21","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Steven","fullname":"Steven Enea Bingman","lastname":"Bingman","middlename":"Enea","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Stokes County since 1986.","token":"ec960d027e1b2b81"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Joe","fullname":"Joe Binkley Jr","lastname":"Binkley","middlename":null,"suffix":"Jr","summary":null,"token":"rPme8VMovZ"},{"bio_snippet":"https://binkley2024.com/ https://binkley2024.com/ https://ballotpedia.org/Ryan Binkley presidential campaign, 2024 https://ballotpedia.org/Ryan Binkley presidential campaign, 2024 https://twitter.com/ryanbinkley https://twitter.com/ryanbinkley","biography":"[https://binkley2024.com/](https://binkley2024.com/)\n\n\n[https://ballotpedia.org/Ryan_Binkley_presidential_campaign,_2024](https://ballotpedia.org/Ryan_Binkley_presidential_campaign,_2024)\n\n\n[https://twitter.com/ryanbinkley](https://twitter.com/ryanbinkley)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Ryan","fullname":"Ryan Binkley","lastname":"Binkley","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"JK93GMAcw9"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Tim Binkley is the Republican candidate for Sheriff of Cheatham County, Tennessee, in the August 6, 2026 general election. He has served as Sheriff of Cheatham County since being elected to the office in 2022 1 . Sources 1 Cheatham County, Tenness","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nTim Binkley is the Republican candidate for Sheriff of Cheatham County, Tennessee, in the August 6, 2026 general election. He has served as Sheriff of Cheatham County since being elected to the office in 2022 [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] Cheatham County, Tennessee government website, Sheriff's Office page: https://cheathamcountytn.gov/sheriff.html","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Tim","fullname":"Tim Binkley","lastname":"Binkley","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"wiNCGfUhz6"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Nadeen Nakleh Bir ran for and won the Durham Public Schools Board of Education District 2 seat in the March 3, 2026 primary, defeating longtime incumbent Natalie Umstead with more than 61 percent of the vote. Background and education Bir is an Arg","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nNadeen Nakleh Bir ran for and won the Durham Public Schools Board of Education District 2 seat in the March 3, 2026 primary, defeating longtime incumbent Natalie Umstead with more than 61 percent of the vote.\n\n## Background and education\n\nBir is an Argentine journalist with more than 20 national journalism awards from the National Association of Hispanic Publications of the United States.\n\n## Career\n\nBir is a co-founder of Enlace Latino NC, a bilingual news organization. She currently serves as co-executive director of Press On South, a nonprofit Southern collective for movement journalism. She has been active with the Durham Public Schools PTA, organizing Latino parent groups and supporting families through Public Schools Strong.\n\n## Family\n\nHer husband is a music teacher at Lakeview School in Durham.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Durham Public Schools Board of Education District 2: Nadeen Bir \u2013 Indy Week](https://indyweek.com/news/durham-public-schools-board-of-education-nadeen-bir-2026/)\n- [2] [Newcomer Bir defeats longtime school board member Umstead \u2013 9th Street Journal](https://9thstreetjournal.org/2026/03/04/newcomer-bir-defeats-longtime-school-board-member-umstead/)\n- [3] [Nadeen Bir advocates for safe and fair schools in Durham \u2013 Enlace Latino NC](https://enlacelatinonc.org/en/Nadeen-Bir-advocates-for-safe-and-fair-schools-in-Durham/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Nadeen","fullname":"Nadeen Nakleh Bir","lastname":"Bir","middlename":"Nakleh","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"c6066e18bbc448ea"},{"bio_snippet":"Anderson County Board of Education, District 2, member since an April 2026 appointment; running to hold the seat in the August 2026 general election; executive director of Historic Downtown Clinton.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nKatherine Birkbeck is the Anderson County Board of Education member for District 2 and a candidate to hold the seat in the August 6, 2026 county general election, facing Debra Heaton [1][2]. The Anderson County Commission appointed Birkbeck to the board on April 20, 2026 to fill the vacancy left by the death of District 2 member Teresa Portwood on March 16, 2026; Birkbeck was the sole applicant for the appointment [1].\n\n## Background and education\nBirkbeck said she sought the school-board appointment because \"there's a direct correlation between community and schools\" [1].\n\n## Career\nBirkbeck has served as executive director of Historic Downtown Clinton, a nonprofit that promotes business and events in Clinton's downtown historic district, since 2021, and worked toward the district's Tennessee Main Street designation [1][3].\n\n## Family\nBoth of Birkbeck's children attend Clinton Middle School, in the district she represents [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Birkbeck appointed to school board \u2014 The Courier News](https://mycouriernews.com/articles/2026/04/10995/birkbeck-appointed-to-school-board) \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] [Clinton lands number one spot on Martha Stewart's best antiquing list \u2014 WVLT](https://www.wvlt.tv/2021/11/24/clinton-lands-number-one-spot-martha-stewarts-best-antiquing-list/) \u2014 accessed via search index 2026-07-06","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Katherine","fullname":"Katherine Birkbeck","lastname":"Birkbeck","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Anderson County Board of Education, District 2, member since an April 2026 appointment; running to hold the seat in the August 2026 general election; executive director of Historic Downtown Clinton.","token":"UOlaasVgJ1"},{"bio_snippet":"Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, a Democrat, is running for a third term in 2026 after leading reforms in criminal\u2011justice, jail care, and community policing.","biography":"Clarence Franklin Birkhead is the incumbent Sheriff of Durham County, North Carolina, and is seeking a third term in the November 3, 2026 general election as the Democratic nominee [1][11]. The county sheriff\u2019s office is responsible for law\u2011enforcement across unincorporated areas, operation of the county jail, court security, service of civil process, and coordination with state and federal agencies. The role also requires oversight of public safety programs, community outreach, and the management of a sizable personnel and budgetary portfolio.\n\nBirkhead has spent more than three decades in public service. Before his election as sheriff, he held several positions with Duke University, including leading the Duke Police Department, where he addressed homelessness, underage drinking, and campus\u2011adjacent crime. He has also served on numerous city and county boards, taught as an adjunct instructor at North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College, and participated in regional law\u2011enforcement collaborations [6].\n\nHe was first elected sheriff in November 2018, winning 98.2% of the vote and assuming office that year. He was re\u2011elected in 2022 with 71.6% of the vote and again advanced from the Democratic primary in March 2026 with 85.8% of the vote, defeating challenger Johnny Hawkins [1]. His current term is set to end on December 7, 2026.\n\nDuring his tenure, Birkhead has pursued a range of criminal\u2011justice reforms. He serves on Governor Cooper\u2019s Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice and on the Governor\u2019s Crime Commission, among other state\u2011level bodies, bringing a focus on equity and community\u2011based solutions [6]. He has instituted a policy of refusing ICE detainers without a judicial warrant, banned no\u2011knock warrants, and adopted the \u201c8 Can\u2019t Wait\u201d standards to limit use\u2011of\u2011force incidents. Birkhead also launched the Sheriff\u2019s Targeted Enforcement Program (STEP) to address quality\u2011of\u2011life concerns, and created a regional \u201cSTRIKE\u201d team that coordinates high\u2011risk operations across four counties to remove violent offenders from the streets [3].\n\nUnder his leadership, the Durham County Sheriff\u2019s Office (DCSO) earned the \u201cTriple Crown\u201d of accreditations\u2014CALEA, ACA, and NCCHC\u2014recognizing excellence in law\u2011enforcement, corrections, and correctional health care. He expanded technology adoption, issuing body\u2011worn and in\u2011car dash cameras to all deputies, school resource officers, and detention staff, citing improvements in evidence collection, transparency, and reduced complaints [3].\n\nBirkhead has also prioritized humane treatment of detainees, introducing medication\u2011assisted treatment for substance\u2011use disorders, 24/7 mental\u2011health care, peer\u2011support programs, and a male mental\u2011health pod. He improved detainee communications by lowering phone rates and adding email and video\u2011visit options. Community engagement initiatives include the Citizens Advisory Board, partnerships with local advocacy groups, and the Faith ID program, all aimed at building trust and addressing public\u2011safety concerns collaboratively [3].\n\nIn addition to his local duties, Birkhead has testified before the U.S. Senate on sanctuary\u2011city policies, emphasizing that while Durham is not a sanctuary county, his office will enforce the law while rejecting policies he deems illegal or ineffective [12]. He continues to advocate for reduced crime, expanded mental\u2011health and re\u2011entry services, and professional development for deputies as part of his platform for a third term [6].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Clarence Birkhead - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Clarence_Birkhead)\n- [3] [ACCOMPLISHMENTS | Birkheadfordurham - Clarence Birkhead](https://www.birkheadfordurham.com/copy-of-meet-clarence-1)\n- [6] [Durham County Sheriff: Clarence Birkhead | 2026 Primary Candidates](https://indyweek.com/news/durham-county-sheriff-clarence-birkhead-2026/)\n- [7] [Sheriff Clarence Birkhead | North Carolina Sheriffs' Association](https://ncsheriffs.org/people/clarence-birkhead)\n- [9] [Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead on ICE cooperation. Plus, more non-criminal immigrants are being detained in NC. | WUNC News](https://www.wunc.org/show/due-south/2025-07-31/durham-county-sheriff-clarence-birkhead-ice-cooperation-more-non-criminal-immigrants-being-detained-nc)\n- [11] [Wake County sheriff seeks his 2nd term, Durham County sheriff plans to run for a 3rd :: WRAL.com](https://www.wral.com/news/local/durham-county-sheriff-clarence-birkhead-third-term-dec-2025/)\n- [12] [Durham Sheriff Clarence Birkhead defends policies in testimony before Congress - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham](https://abc11.com/post/durham-sheriff-clarence-birkhead-defends-policies-testimony-before-congress/18790147/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Clarence","fullname":"Clarence Franklin Birkhead","lastname":"Birkhead","middlename":"Franklin","suffix":null,"summary":"Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, a Democrat, is running for a third term in 2026 after leading reforms in criminal\u2011justice, jail care, and community policing.","token":"212d86dbd8c7d53e"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Fred","fullname":"Fred W. Birmingham","lastname":"Birmingham","middlename":"W.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"wF0vlOacHc"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Keith Andrew Bishop ran as a Democrat for Seat 2 of the North Carolina 16th Judicial District Court in Durham in the March 3, 2026 primary. He challenged incumbent Judge Doretta Walker. Bishop campaigned on three core principles: fair decisions ba","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nKeith Andrew Bishop ran as a Democrat for Seat 2 of the North Carolina 16th Judicial District Court in Durham in the March 3, 2026 primary. He challenged incumbent Judge Doretta Walker.\n\nBishop campaigned on three core principles: fair decisions based on law and facts, a consistent courtroom process, and respectful treatment of every person appearing before the court.\n\n## Background and education\nBishop grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York College at Brockport in 1986 and moved to North Carolina in 1988. He earned his J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 1992.\n\n## Career\nBishop has practiced law for over 33 years, handling civil, criminal, and corporate matters across North Carolina. He has served as a Truancy Court Judge for more than 20 years.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Meet Keith Bishop \u2013 Elect Keith Bishop](https://www.electkeithbishop.com/meet-keith-bishop/)\n- [2] [District Court Judge District 16 Seat 2: Keith Bishop \u2013 Indy Week](https://indyweek.com/news/district-court-judge-keith-bishop-2026/)\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Keith","fullname":"Keith Andrew Bishop","lastname":"Bishop","middlename":"Andrew","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"929326633d469374"},{"bio_snippet":"Surgoinsville alderman running as a Republican for Hawkins County Commission District 4 on the August 6, 2026 ballot.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nWarren C. Bishop is a Republican candidate for Hawkins County Commission District 4 on the August 6, 2026 general-election ballot, running alongside incumbent Republican Josh Gilliam for the district's two seats [1]. When he filed, local coverage described him as a challenger who currently serves as a Surgoinsville alderman [2].\n\n## Office history\nBishop serves as an alderman for the Town of Surgoinsville [3]. In the November 2024 municipal election he was re-elected to one of three aldermen seats, running unopposed and receiving 520 votes [4]. He was sworn in for the new term on December 9, 2024, alongside Vice Mayor Bobby Jarnagin and Alderman Randy Collier [5].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nAs a Surgoinsville alderman, Bishop made the motion to raise Town Recorder Megan Gentry's hourly pay by $3.50 after she earned her Certified Municipal Finance Officer credential [6]. He also participates in community events under the town's banner, appearing as Santa on a Surgoinsville fire truck at the town's Christmas parade on December 12, 2025 [7].\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\n[3] [Surgoinsville Mayor & Aldermen](https://www.surgoinsvilletn.gov/mayor_aldermen.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[4] [Municipal elections held in 204 cities](https://ttc.tml1.org/2024/11/08/municipal-elections-held-204-cities) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[5] [Newly reelected Surgoinsville vice mayor, aldermen sworn in](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/multimedia/videos/article_9cc701ba-c880-11ef-b99b-ff722856f767.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[6] [No takeback on raise for Surgoinsville employee](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/news/article_51ad902c-a4f4-4b92-829b-de732f247c1a.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[7] [Santa \u2014 or, Alderman Warren Bishop \u2014 waves from a fire truck at the Surgoinsville Christmas Parade on Dec. 12, 2025](https://timesnews.net/photo-single/417854/?mode=team) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18","birthdate":null,"firstname":"WARREN","fullname":"WARREN C. BISHOP","lastname":"BISHOP","middlename":"C.","suffix":null,"summary":"Surgoinsville alderman running as a Republican for Hawkins County Commission District 4 on the August 6, 2026 ballot.","token":"RGbbhKxuCb"},{"bio_snippet":"Christopher Alan Bishopp is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House District\u202f82 in the 2026 election, emphasizing aviation safety experience, education, affordability, and health\u2011care priorities.","biography":"Christopher Alan Bishopp is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina\u2019s House District\u202f82 in the 2026 general election, seeking a seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives, the state\u2019s lower legislative chamber [1]. The district\u2019s incumbent, Republican Brian\u202fEchevarria, is also on the ballot.\n\nBishopp\u2019s professional background is rooted in aviation safety and military service. He served as a Naval Flight Officer in the United States Navy, an experience he cites as the foundation of his \u201cdecades of aviation safety, operations, and public service\u201d career [1]. After his military tenure, he continued working in aviation safety and operations, positions that he says have given him steady leadership skills and a strong sense of duty to his community.\n\nIn his own words, Bishopp is motivated by a desire to protect the future of his grandchildren and to stand up for the rights of working families. He emphasizes three policy pillars: education, affordability, and health care. He supports increased investment in public schools, teachers, modern classrooms, and career\u2011technical education, while expressing concern about the impact of voucher programs on local school funding [1]. To address rising housing costs and utility bills, he advocates for responsible tax policy, smart infrastructure investments, and protections for homeowners [1]. On health care, he backs expanding coverage, strengthening local hospitals and clinics, and improving mental\u2011health services [1].\n\nBishopp\u2019s campaign was unopposed in the Democratic primary, which was canceled, allowing him to advance directly to the November 3,\u202f2026 general election ballot [1]. He has completed Ballotpedia\u2019s Candidate Connection survey, providing the above statements on his priorities and background. No additional campaign website or contact information is listed in the available sources.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Chris Bishopp - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Chris_Bishopp)\n- [4] [North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2026)\n- [8] [Results from 2026 Candidate Filing - Carolina Forward](https://carolinaforward.org/blog/results-from-2026-candidate-filing/)\n- [13] [North Carolina House Primary Election 2026 Live Results](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-elections/north-carolina-house-results)\n- [15] [Election field for 2026 is set in North Carolina](https://www.carolinajournal.com/election-field-for-2026-is-set-in-north-carolina/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Christopher","fullname":"Christopher Alan Bishopp","lastname":"Bishopp","middlename":"Alan","suffix":null,"summary":"Christopher Alan Bishopp is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina House District\u202f82 in the 2026 election, emphasizing aviation safety experience, education, affordability, and health\u2011care priorities.","token":"5538e82e51d555b9"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Kenneth","fullname":"Kenneth Bitner","lastname":"Bitner","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"J4LjGNtBi1"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Kim","fullname":"Kim Bivens","lastname":"Bivens","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"sz2Dk841KJ"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Johnston County since 1988.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRoger Steve Bizzell won the Republican primary for Johnston County Sheriff on March 3, 2026, with 13,676 votes (75.3%), defeating Randy Ackley (4,476 votes, 24.7%). He will appear unopposed on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot [1].\n\n## Background\nAccording to the North Carolina voter file, Roger Steve Bizzell is a registered voter in Johnston County, North Carolina, registered since 1988 (38 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [2].\n\nThe voter file shows Roger Steve Bizzell's year of birth as 1958; 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 11 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 Roger Steve Bizzell 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":"Roger","fullname":"Roger Steve Bizzell","lastname":"Bizzell","middlename":"Steve","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Johnston County since 1988.","token":"f1336ef5eef1968e"}]