[{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"KEVIN","fullname":"KEVIN BRANTLEY","lastname":"BRANTLEY","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"PahbH8wz39"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Misty","fullname":"Misty D. Brantley","lastname":"Brantley","middlename":"D.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"RNKjF3cKXr"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"SAMANTHA","fullname":"SAMANTHA BRANTLEY-SMITH","lastname":"BRANTLEY-SMITH","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"emZMHbOkmi"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Clinton","fullname":"Clinton R. Brasher","lastname":"Brasher","middlename":"R.","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"cRAgeOQGAQ"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"J.","fullname":"J. Alan Brasher","lastname":"Brasher","middlename":"Alan","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"aCdWGcyyIX"},{"bio_snippet":"Tyler Brasher is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 60 who lost the August 2024 primary to Shaundelle Brooks.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nTyler Brasher is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 60 in 2026 [1]. As of May 2026, he remains on the ballot for this upcoming race [1].\n\nBrasher previously sought the same seat during the 2024 election cycle, where he lost in the Democratic primary on August 1, 2024 [1]. That contest featured a competitive primary between Brasher and Shaundelle Brooks for the nomination in District 60, an area described as economically diverse neighborhoods on the eastern edge of Davidson County [2]. The race was noted for highlighting a style split within the party, with both candidates offering different approaches to contending with a GOP supermajority while sharing similar policy goals [3].\n\nDuring his 2024 campaign, Brasher self-describes as a ninth-generation Tennessean and Director at Gibbins Advisors who has worked in health care finance his entire career [4]. He holds a Bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of Tennessee, Martin, and cites political experience including membership on Metro Nashville\u2019s Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee, the Health and Educational Facilities Board, and the Hermitage Community Advisory Board [4]. The Tennessee Democratic Party did not directly weigh in on that primary contest [5].\n\n## Background and education\n\nTyler Brasher is a ninth-generation Tennessean who moved to Nashville eight years prior to 2024 [4]. He self-describes as being 34 years old during his 2024 campaign for the Tennessee House of Representatives [4].\n\nBrasher earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of Tennessee, Martin [4].\n\n## Career\n\nTyler Brasher is a ninth-generation Tennessean who relocated to Nashville eight years prior to 2024 [4]. He holds a bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of Tennessee, Martin [4]. Throughout his professional life, Brasher has worked in health care finance, serving as a director at Gibbins Advisors [4].\n\nIn addition to his corporate role, Brasher has held several volunteer positions within Metro Nashville. He served as a member of the Metro Nashville Health and Educational Facilities Board and was part of the Metro Nashville\u2019s Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee [4]. He also served on the Hermitage Community Advisory Board [4].\n\n## Office history\n\nTyler Brasher served as a member of Metro Nashville\u2019s Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee and the Metro Nashville Health and Educational Facilities Board [4]. He also served on the Hermitage Community Advisory Board [4].\n\nIn 2024, Brasher ran for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 60 as a Democrat [1]. At the time of his candidacy, he was 34 years old and worked as a director at Gibbins Advisors [4]. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 1, 2024, to Shaundelle Brooks [1]. The race for District 60 was noted as one of the few competitive Democratic primaries in Tennessee, with Brasher and Brooks offering different approaches to similar platforms [3].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nTyler Brasher self-describes as a ninth-generation Tennessean who moved to Nashville eight years prior to 2024 [4]. He has worked in health care finance throughout his career and served as a director at Gibbins Advisors [4]. His educational background includes a bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin [1][4].\n\nSpecific details regarding Brasher\u2019s personal business interests, ownership stakes, or sources of family wealth are not provided in the available records. While the University of Tennessee at Martin maintains a Lifetime Giving Society for donors contributing $25,000 or greater, the published member list does not explicitly identify Brasher as a contributor [7]. Similarly, while his mother Cynthia Brasher has held executive roles in healthcare administration, such as Corporate Director of Pastoral Care at Cape Fear Valley Health, these positions are attributed to her rather than to Tyler Brasher [6]. No financial disclosure forms or specific asset valuations for Brasher are included in the provided sources.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Tyler Brasher - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tyler_Brasher)\n[2] [Tyler Brasher Archives \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/tag/tyler-brasher/)\n[3] [Democratic primary in Nashville House district exemplifies style split in party \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/2024/07/15/democratic-primary-in-nashville-house-district-exemplifies-style-split-in-party/)\n[4] [Democrat Tyler Brasher runs for Tennessee House, District 60 - Nashville Banner](https://nashvillebanner.com/2024/07/20/tyler-brasher-candidate-tn-house-60/)\n[5] [Primary Splits Democrats Near the Davidson County Line | City Limits | nashvillescene.com](https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/citylimits/shaundelle-brooks-tyler-brasher-house-race/article_be1f1d7c-3d73-11ef-a662-b386b7939a81.html)\n[6] [Cape Fear Valley Health](https://www.facebook.com/capefearvalley/posts/cynthia-brasher-has-been-appointed-corporate-director-of-pastoral-care-at-cape-f/1724213314284587/)\n[7] [Lifetime Giving Society Members | UTM Alumni](https://alumni.utm.edu/lifetime-giving-societies/members/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Tyler","fullname":"Tyler Brasher","lastname":"Brasher","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Tyler Brasher is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 60 who lost the August 2024 primary to Shaundelle Brooks.","token":"iyctcV5Hu7"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"JASON","fullname":"JASON BRAWNER","lastname":"BRAWNER","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"6HkbMgr1Dh"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"BRADLEY","fullname":"BRADLEY BRAY","lastname":"BRAY","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"beDteJ9CK4"},{"bio_snippet":"Shannon Bray is the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina in 2026, a Navy veteran and cybersecurity professional advocating liberty\u2011first policies.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nShannon Wilson Bray is the Libertarian candidate for the United States Senate from North Carolina in the November 3, 2026 general election. The State Board of Elections' certified candidate filing record lists him as the Libertarian filer for the seat with a candidacy date of December 17, 2025, on a general-election ballot alongside Democrat Roy Cooper, Republican Michael Whatley and Green Party candidate Michael Dublin; the same file records no Libertarian primary contest for the office [1].\n\nHis campaign presents itself as \"A Liberty-First U.S. Senate Campaign for North Carolina\" and describes him as a \"Navy veteran. Cybersecurity professional. Focused on privacy, accountability, and modern government that works,\" with four highlighted issue areas: \"Digital Privacy & Civil Liberties,\" \"Government Accountability,\" \"National Security,\" and \"Technology & Infrastructure\" [7]. The campaign's issues index adds pages on Economy & Taxes, Monetary Policy & Inflation, Jobs/Innovation & Technology, Education & Workforce, Healthcare, Energy & Environment, Immigration & Borders, Foreign Policy & Defense, Election Integrity & Technology, Privacy & Civil Liberties, Data Privacy & Ownership, Criminal Justice Reform, Constitutional Rights, Property & Local Control, and Digital Assets & Financial Freedom [9]. Writing in his own voice on the campaign's About page, Bray says he is running \"because North Carolina deserves leadership that understands modern threats without sacrificing fundamental freedoms,\" and that \"we can protect people, defend the country, and modernize government without building a surveillance state or surrendering individual liberty\" [8]. He was a featured speaker at the Wake County Libertarian Party's 2026 convention in Raleigh on January 14, 2026, alongside the party's candidates in the 2nd, 4th and 13th congressional districts [10].\n\n## Background and education\n\nVote Smart's biographical record gives Bray's birthplace as Marrero, Louisiana, and records that he served in the United States Navy from 1991 to 1997 [6]. The same record lists an associate's degree from Arapahoe Community College; a B.S. in information technology from Colorado State University Global Campus (2014-2016, grade point average 4.0); an M.S. in cybersecurity from the University of Delaware (2016-2018, grade point average 4.0); a Ph.D. in computer science from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (2018-2021); and attendance in computer science at Nicholls State University (1988-1990) [6].\n\n## Career\n\nVote Smart's record of his professional experience lists him as Virtual Chief Information Security Officer at Secured Systems LLC since 2015; Chief Information Security Officer at ShareSquared, Inc. (2015-2019); Senior Systems Architect for the United States Department of Defense (2018-2019); Senior SharePoint Architect at rmsource, Inc. (2016-2018); Technology Fellow with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (2014-2017); an author for Microsoft Press (2013-2015); Chief Architect at Planet Technologies (2009-2015); president of the Colorado SharePoint User's Group (2009-2012); adjunct instructor in computer science at Arapahoe Community College (2006-2011); Senior Web Developer at Visa (2005-2007); Senior Web Architect at 5280 Solutions (2003-2005); and a developer at Corporate Services, LLC (1997-2001) [6]. The same record lists two books: \"Microsoft SharePoint 2013: Designing and Architecting Solutions\" (Microsoft Press, 2013) and \"Automating Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Administration with Windows PowerShell 2.0\" (Sybex, 2011) [6].\n\nHis listed civic and veterans-organization roles include volunteer with the United States Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary since 2021, regional director for North Carolina of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps since 2013, CyberPatriot coach, president of the Triangle chapter of the Navy League, and volunteer with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary [6].\n\n## Office history\n\nFederal Election Commission candidate records list Bray under two IDs: H0NC03180, a Libertarian House candidacy in North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District for 2019, and S0NC00335, a Libertarian Senate candidacy in North Carolina for the 2020, 2022 and 2026 election years [5].\n\nIn the November 3, 2020 U.S. Senate general election Bray received 171,571 votes as the Libertarian candidate, per certified State Board of Elections precinct results; Republican Thom Tillis won with 2,665,598 votes to Democrat Cal Cunningham's 2,569,965, with Constitution Party candidate Kevin E. Hayes at 67,818 [2]. In the November 8, 2022 U.S. Senate general election he received 51,640 votes; Republican Ted Budd won with 1,905,786 to Democrat Cheri Beasley's 1,784,049, with Green Party candidate Matthew Hoh at 29,934 [3]. In 2024 he was the Libertarian candidate for lieutenant governor of North Carolina and received 104,192 votes, behind Democrat Rachel Hunt (2,768,539) and Republican Hal Weatherman (2,663,183) and ahead of Constitution Party candidate Wayne Jones (53,938) [4].\n\nIn a June 2021 essay published on his campaign site, Bray wrote that his entire 2020 Senate campaign \"operated off of $400,\" explaining that he \"knew Thom and Cal were going to spend millions and I didn't want to take money from hard working American's for a political bloodbath\" [11]. In the same essay he argued that third-party votes are not wasted \u2014 \"For our candidates to get a fair chance, we need to get over 6%; your vote is very powerful\" \u2014 noting that his 171,571 votes exceeded the 95,633-vote margin between Tillis and Cunningham, and that after the election he \"received a ton of hate mail and a couple of death threats from upset Democrats because they felt my presence in the election gave it to Thom Tillis\" [11].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Candidate Listing 2026](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[2] [Precinct-level results, November 3, 2020 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2020_11_03/results_pct_20201103.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[3] [Precinct-level results, November 8, 2022 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2022_11_08/results_pct_20221108.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[4] [Precinct-level results, November 5, 2024 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2024_11_05/results_pct_20241105.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[5] [Candidate search: BRAY, SHANNON](https://api.open.fec.gov/v1/candidates/search/?q=BRAY%2C%20SHANNON) - Federal Election Commission, accessed 2026-07-31\n[6] [Shannon Bray's Biography](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/186258/shannon-bray) - Vote Smart, accessed 2026-07-31\n[7] [Shannon W. Bray - home page](https://www.shannonbray.us/) - Shannon Bray for NC, U.S. Senate (campaign site), accessed 2026-07-31\n[8] [About Shannon Bray](https://www.shannonbray.us/about) - Shannon Bray for NC, U.S. Senate (campaign site), accessed 2026-07-31\n[9] [Taking A Stand on the Issues That Matter Most](https://www.shannonbray.us/issues) - Shannon Bray for NC, U.S. Senate (campaign site), accessed 2026-07-31\n[10] [News: Shannon Bray to Speak at 2026 WakeLP Convention in Raleigh](https://www.shannonbray.us/news) - Shannon Bray for NC, U.S. Senate (campaign site), accessed 2026-07-31\n[11] [The Power of the 3rd Party Voter](https://www.shannonbray.us/3pvoter) - Shannon Bray for NC, U.S. Senate (campaign site), accessed 2026-07-31","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Shannon","fullname":"Shannon Wilson Bray","lastname":"Bray","middlename":"Wilson","suffix":null,"summary":"Shannon Bray is the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina in 2026, a Navy veteran and cybersecurity professional advocating liberty\u2011first policies.","token":"1f23a9ef5cfb42d2"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Ronny","fullname":"Ronny G Breeden","lastname":"Breeden","middlename":"G","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"QWC0MHnZGo"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"JOY","fullname":"JOY BREEDING","lastname":"BREEDING","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"YRfGJoalXs"},{"bio_snippet":"Dennis Arthur Breen is the Democratic nominee for North Carolina House District\u202f20 in the 2026 election.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nDennis Arthur Breen is the Democratic nominee for the North Carolina House of Representatives District 17, which covers Brunswick County. The Democratic primary was canceled because he had no opponent [1]. He faces incumbent Republican Frank Iler in the November 3, 2026 general election [1]. Iler defeated Nia Moore 74.4% to 25.6% (8,385 to 2,888 votes) in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nPer his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, Breen earned a high school diploma from Saint Francis Preparatory School, a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Brockport in 1973, a graduate degree from SUNY Binghamton in 1977, and a law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1982 [1].\n\n## Career\n\nBreen's campaign profile lists his career experience as working as a lawyer [1].\n\n## Sources\n\n- [1] [Dennis Breen (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Dennis_Breen_(North_Carolina))\n- [2] NC State Board of Elections 2026 primary precinct-level results file, [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip)\n- [3] NC State Board of Elections 2026 Candidate Filing list, [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Dennis","fullname":"Dennis Arthur Breen","lastname":"Breen","middlename":"Arthur","suffix":null,"summary":"Dennis Arthur Breen is the Democratic nominee for North Carolina House District\u202f20 in the 2026 election.","token":"eca353624087bc6b"},{"bio_snippet":"Incumbent Wilson County Commissioner, District 18, first elected 2018; ran as an Independent in 2022, now the 2026 Republican nominee against Democrat Rick Howard Jr.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nLauren Breeze is the incumbent Wilson County Commissioner for District 18, first elected in 2018 [1]. She ran unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary and faces Democrat Rick Howard Jr. in the August 6, 2026 Wilson County general election [2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nBreeze relocated to Wilson County from Texas in 2012 [3]. She holds a degree in Marine Transportation and an MBA with a focus in global business and marketing [3]. She began her career as a Third Mate in the Merchant Marine working on oil tankers, later served as a Port Captain for the Mediterranean Shipping Company managing route and cargo planning for nine container ships, and co-founded the regional family-tourism site Nashvillefunforfamilies.com [3].\n\n## Career\n\nBreeze became a Certified Public Administrator in 2020 and says she is the only elected official in Wilson County to hold the Certified County Finance Officer designation, awarded through the Tennessee State Comptroller's Office [1][3].\n\n## Office history\n\nBreeze won a second term in the August 2022 general election, running as an Independent and defeating Terri Nicholson - then a Tennessee GOP State Executive Committee member and former Wilson County Republican Party chair - 461-435 [1][4]. She is running for a third term in 2026 as the Republican nominee [2].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Lauren Breeze holds off Terri Nicholson in Wilson County Commission District 18 race, Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/thewilsonpost/lauren-breeze-holds-off-terri-nicholson-in-wilson-county-commission-district-18-race/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Wilson County May 5 primary candidates, Lebanon Democrat](https://www.lebanondemocrat.com/lebanon/wilson-county-may-5-primary-candidates/article_1c729583-8efa-5bb9-bf6d-b169c75f0c2f.html) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [About Lauren - Lauren Breeze District 18 Commissioner](https://laurenbreeze.com/about/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[4] [GOP leader Terri Nicholson opposes Lauren Breeze for county commission seat, Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/thewilsonpost/gop-leader-terri-nicholson-opposes-lauren-breeze-for-county-commission-seat/) - accessed 2026-07-06","birthdate":null,"firstname":"LAUREN","fullname":"LAUREN BREEZE","lastname":"BREEZE","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Incumbent Wilson County Commissioner, District 18, first elected 2018; ran as an Independent in 2022, now the 2026 Republican nominee against Democrat Rick Howard Jr.","token":"n4YK8kPFgl"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"JIMBO","fullname":"JIMBO BRELAND","lastname":"BRELAND","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"jDBnOYSl3y"},{"bio_snippet":"L. Neil Brendle is the currently elected Clerk of Superior Court for Surry County, North Carolina, serving his third term and running in the 2026 election.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nLandon Neil Brendle, known as L. Neil Brendle, is the incumbent Surry County Clerk of Superior Court, running as a Republican for re-election in 2026. He was first elected to the position in 2018 and is seeking a third term.\n\n## Background and education\nBrendle is from Dobson, North Carolina, and is a graduate of Surry County High School (1995). He holds an Associate's degree from Surry Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University.\n\n## Career\nBefore his judicial career, Brendle worked in project management, supervision, and administrative roles within grading and public utilities companies. He subsequently served multiple terms as a Magistrate in Surry County, presiding over small claims hearings and serving as a courtroom clerk. He ran for Clerk of Superior Court in 2018, defeating Teresa O'Dell in the Republican primary and winning the November general election. He was sworn in on December 3, 2018.\n\n## Family\nBrendle is married to Carrie Brendle. They have two daughters, Erin and Ava.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Surry County Clerk of Superior Court \u2013 L. Neil Brendle \u2013 Elkin Tribune](https://www.elkintribune.com/news/politics/surry-county-clerk-of-superior-court-l-neil-brendle/article_736164bd-fd55-55fa-ad4e-03c11c9fde26.html)\n- [2] [Re-elect L. Neil Brendle Surry County Clerk of Superior Court 2026 \u2013 Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BrendleforClerk/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Landon","fullname":"Landon Neil Brendle","lastname":"Brendle","middlename":"Neil","suffix":null,"summary":"L. Neil Brendle is the currently elected Clerk of Superior Court for Surry County, North Carolina, serving his third term and running in the 2026 election.","token":"6d36a81851fc4a9f"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"BRIAN","fullname":"BRIAN BRENTON","lastname":"BRENTON","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"lyy2dXEFqc"},{"bio_snippet":"Incumbent Hancock County Sheriff and Republican candidate for re-election in 2026; known for the county's anti-drug enforcement push.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nBrad Brewer is the incumbent Sheriff of Hancock County, Tennessee, and is the Republican candidate for sheriff on the August 6, 2026 county-general ballot [1][2].\n\n## Career\nBrewer worked for the Hancock County Sheriff's Department for 24 years \u2014 eight as a detective and 16 as a deputy \u2014 before being elected sheriff [3].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nAs sheriff, Brewer launched \"Taking Back Hancock County,\" an anti-drug enforcement effort targeting crystal-meth and opioid trafficking; the Rogersville Review reported it produced 110 indictments against 45 people [3]. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office was among agencies recognized by the Tennessee Narcotic Officers Association for work on a major methamphetamine case [4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [County Sheriff - Hancock County, TN](https://www.hancockcountytn.com/local_public_service_directory/county_sheriff.php) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Local Public Service Directory - Hancock County, TN](https://www.hancockcountytn.com/local_public_service_directory/index.php) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [TAKING BACK HANCOCK COUNTY: Sheriff Brewer announces major drug indictments - The Rogersville Review](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/rogersville/article_9a0720ad-70ab-50fe-9562-9cd3211e12c3.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[4] [Massive meth ring bust results in award for area drug task force - Kingsport Times News](https://www.timesnews.net/Law-Enforcement/2019/11/30/HCSO-among-agencies-recognized-by-Tennessee-Narcotic-Officers-Association.html) - accessed 2026-07-23","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Brad","fullname":"Brad Brewer","lastname":"Brewer","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Incumbent Hancock County Sheriff and Republican candidate for re-election in 2026; known for the county's anti-drug enforcement push.","token":"DZr70di2XV"},{"bio_snippet":"Dean Brewer is an independent candidate running for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nDean Brewer is an independent candidate running for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election [1]. He declared his candidacy for the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026 [1]. The primary election for this office is set to take place on August 6, 2026 [3].\n\nBrewer qualified for the ballot by meeting the state's qualifying deadline of noon on March 10, 2026 [2]. He is listed among the candidates running in the general election for Governor of Tennessee on November 3, 2026 [1]. The incumbent governor, Bill Lee, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Dean Brewer](https://ballotpedia.org/Dean_Brewer)\n[2] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n[3] [2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Tennessee_gubernatorial_election)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Dean","fullname":"Dean Brewer","lastname":"Brewer","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Dean Brewer is an independent candidate running for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election.","token":"oxmATK8G2Y"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Gary","fullname":"Gary Brewer","lastname":"Brewer","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"bdFyGLyJ1Y"},{"bio_snippet":"Maria E. Brewer is a former U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone and Lesotho who is running for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee as a Democrat.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMaria Brewer is a Democratic candidate running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Tennessee [1]. She is currently on the ballot in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. The general election for this seat is set to occur on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nBrewer\u2019s campaign describes her as an activist and organizer who is \"raising my voice for democracy\" against what she characterizes as the billionaire class that owns Washington [6]. She maintains a presence on social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook under the name Maria Brewer for US Senate [4][6]. The campaign facilitates voter registration through the GoVoteTN App and accepts donations via ActBlue [6].\n\nPrior to this candidacy, Brewer served as a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, holding the rank of Minister-Counselor [2][3]. Her diplomatic career includes service as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone from 2017 to 2021 and as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho [2][3]. As of May 13, 2024, she was serving as the Deputy Director at the Foreign Service Institute within the U.S. Department of State [2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMaria Brewer is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor [2]. She has served in various diplomatic roles, including as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho and previously as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone from 2017 to 2021 [2][3]. Her earlier career included serving as Deputy Chief of Mission and Charg\u00e9 at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, and as a leader of the management team at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan [3].\n\nBrewer holds a connection to Indiana University\u2019s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, where she has engaged with students regarding global competencies and her diplomatic career [5]. She self-describes on her campaign materials as an activist, organizer, daughter, mom, and wife [6].\n\n## Career\n\nMaria Brewer is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, holding the rank of Minister-Counselor [2]. Her diplomatic career includes service as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone from 2017 to 2021 and as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho [2][3]. Prior to her ambassadorial roles, she served as the Deputy Director in the Office of Career Development and Assignments for the State Department, as well as Deputy Chief of Mission and Charg\u00e9 at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, and as a leader of the management team at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan [2][3].\n\nIn May 2024, Brewer was appointed as the Deputy Director at the Foreign Service Institute [2]. Her professional background is described by her campaign as that of an activist and organizer [6]. She has engaged with academic institutions to share her diplomatic experience, including visiting the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University in March 2026 to discuss global competencies and career paths [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nMaria Brewer is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor [2]. She currently serves as the Deputy Director at the Foreign Service Institute, a role she assumed on May 13, 2024 [2]. Prior to this appointment, she served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho [2][3]. Her previous diplomatic postings included serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone from 2017 to 2021 [2][3]. Earlier in her State Department career, Brewer held positions including Deputy Director in the Office of Career Development and Assignments, Deputy Chief of Mission and Charg\u00e9 of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, and a leadership role on the management team at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan [2][3].\n\nBrewer is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Tennessee as a member of the Democratic Party [1]. She appears on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026 [1]. Brewer self-describes as an activist and organizer [6].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nMaria Brewer\u2019s professional wealth has been derived primarily from her long career in the U.S. Foreign Service rather than private business ownership or inheritance. She is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor [2]. Her financial disclosures and public records reflect income from federal government service, including roles such as Deputy Director at the Foreign Service Institute [2], U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho [3], and U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone from 2017 to 2021 [2].\n\nBrewer has not held significant private business ownership stakes or sold major commercial enterprises that would constitute a primary source of personal wealth. Instead, her campaign narrative focuses on her background as an activist and organizer, positioning herself against the \"billionaire class that owns Washington\" [6]. She self-describes in her campaign materials as a \"daughter, mom, wife,\" emphasizing her personal and civic identity over private financial accumulation [6].\n\nAs a current candidate for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee, Brewer is subject to federal financial disclosure requirements associated with her government service and political candidacy. Specific details regarding her personal investment portfolio or real estate holdings are not detailed in the provided source materials, which instead highlight her diplomatic career and campaign fundraising channels through platforms like ActBlue [6]. Her wealth source is thus characterized by public sector compensation and political fundraising rather than private equity or business sales.\n\n## Family\n\nMaria Brewer self-describes as a \"daughter, mom, wife\" [6]. Publicly available records do not identify her spouse or children as public figures themselves, nor do they list immediate family members holding political office.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Maria Brewer (Tennessee)](https://ballotpedia.org/Maria_Brewer_(Tennessee))\n[2] [Maria Brewer - United States Department of State](https://2021-2025.state.gov/biographies/maria-brewer/)\n[3] [Ambassador Maria E. Brewer - U.S. Embassy in Lesotho](https://ls.usembassy.gov/ambassador-maria-e-brewer/)\n[4] [Maria Brewer for US Senate | Nashville TN](https://www.facebook.com/MariaBrewerforSenate)\n[5] [Every door leads to the next: Ambassador Maria Brewer inspires Hamilton Lugar students: Hamilton Lugar School : Indiana University](https://news.iu.edu/hamiltonlugar/live/news/50287-every-door-leads-to-the-next-ambassador-maria)\n[6] [Maria Brewer for US Senate | TikTok, Instagram, Facebook | Linktree](https://linktr.ee/mariabrewerforsenate)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Maria","fullname":"Maria Brewer","lastname":"Brewer","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Maria E. Brewer is a former U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone and Lesotho who is running for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee as a Democrat.","token":"8CZbpMuWIL"}]