Ballot Project

← Back to Anderson County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06

Contest for County Commission District 8

general - Partisan - County Commissioner
Elect 2 candidates

About this office

A county commissioner is a member of the county's legislative body. The commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, authorizes borrowing, and passes county resolutions and ordinances. Commissioners are elected from districts (or at-large seats) to represent constituents on countywide policy.

Term length: 4 years.

This role calls for

  • Policy judgment on countywide matters — budget, taxes, land use, services, and intergovernmental issues — within Tennessee county-government law.
  • Budget literacy: the commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes multi-year bond issues.
  • Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; committee work that pre-screens items.
  • Constituent relations in the district — case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.
  • Willingness to complete the state-required annual continuing education through UT CTAS.

Derived from the office's statutory duties and operational reality. Candidate summaries below map each candidate's documented experience to these requirements.

Campaigns

Jawrell Cook

Jawrell Cook

Republican
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Jawrell Cook's biography shows relevant experience through a Business Administration degree, over twenty years of Army service, and thirty years running a regional heating-and-cooling business. His board service on Oak Ridge's Trade and Licensing Board and the Boys & Girls Club demonstrates community engagement. The record contains no controversies or disciplinary history. Bio does not indicate experience with county budget approval or legislative drafting within Tennessee county-government law.
Elizabeth "Liz" Henry

Elizabeth "Liz" Henry

Democrat
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Elizabeth Henry's biography shows no prior experience in county governance, budgeting, or legislative processes required for Anderson County Commissioner. Her background as a registered nurse and diabetes educator at a free clinic demonstrates healthcare expertise but does not document policy judgment on land use, tax rates, or intergovernmental issues. The record contains no evidence of disciplinary actions or controversies. Bio does not indicate experience with county budget approval or constituent case-work administration.
Ashley Craven

Ashley Craven

Democrat
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Craven's tenure on the Oak Ridge Board of Education demonstrates experience in local governance and budget oversight relevant to county policy judgment. Her role as a senior project specialist suggests familiarity with administrative processes and constituent relations. The biography contains no record of disciplinary action or controversy. Bio does not indicate experience with Tennessee county-government law, legislative drafting, or state-mandated continuing education through UT CTAS.
Phil Yager

Phil Yager

Independent
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Phil Yager's biography shows extensive financial experience through thirty years in investment analysis and current service chairing the county Finance Committee, which aligns with budget literacy demands. He has served since 2016, overseeing a record fund balance and AA bond rating while participating on two boards. Bio does not indicate prior legislative drafting experience or specific continuing education completion records.
Don A. Layton

Don A. Layton

Republican
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Don A. Layton's twenty-four-year tenure as a General Sessions Court judge demonstrates policy judgment and legislative experience relevant to county governance. His background includes drafting resolutions, managing court budgets, and serving as president of the State General Sessions Court Conference. The biography contains no record of disciplinary action or controversy. Bio does not indicate direct experience with property tax rate setting or multi-year bond issuance.
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