{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Hilary Trudell","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nHilary Trudell is a candidate for Blount County Commission District 4, Seat B, in the 2026 Tennessee election (Blount County).\n","firstname":"Hilary","lastname":"Trudell","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"RkYry1k5yI"},"token":"hilary_trudell"},{"candidatename":"Robert G. Simerly","chatgptsummary":"Robert G. Simerly's biography shows over twenty-five years in law enforcement and county government, alongside certification as a Public Administrator with extensive CTAS training in budgeting, finance, and ethics. He has completed the required state continuing education through UT CTAS. The record contains no mention of disciplinary actions or controversies. Bio does not indicate prior elected legislative experience or specific constituent case-work history.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRobert G. Simerly is the Republican nominee for Blount County Commission District 4, Seat B, facing Democrat Hilary Trudell in the Aug. 6, 2026 general election [1][2] \u2014 not Robin Cox, who is paired with the Seat A race instead. The Seat B contest is for the position being vacated by retiring incumbent Dawn Reagan [2][3].\n\n## Background and education\nSimerly describes himself as a lifelong Blount Countian who has lived in District 4 (Chilhowee View) for more than 40 years. He graduated from Heritage High School in 1985 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bethel University [3].\n\n## Career\nSimerly says he has more than 25 years in law enforcement and 25 years of service in county or municipal government. He is a Certified Public Administrator through the UT County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), with 328 hours of county-government training in leadership, finance, HR, purchasing, budgeting, and ethics [3].\n\n## Family\nHe has been married to his wife, Kelly Potter Simerly, for 36 years [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [August 6, 2026 Official Ballot for Blount County](https://www.blounttn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30077/August-6-2026-Sample-Ballot-PDF) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [May 5, 2026 Official Ballot for Blount County](https://www.blounttn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29846/May-5-2026-Sample-Ballot-PDF) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [The Daily Times \u2014 Hats in the Ring: County Board of Commissioners Seat 4-B](https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/blount-county-board-of-commissioners-seat-4-b/pdf_cd0b4d2f-5605-4f43-b787-d96c2d5bd8b5.html) (Marcus Fitzsimmons) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-06","firstname":"Robert","lastname":"Simerly","middlename":"G.","suffix":null,"token":"gb1WYjuVIb"},"token":"robert_g_simerly"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":null,"office":"county_commission_district_4_seat_b","officedescription":"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.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on countywide matters \u2014 budget, taxes, land use, services, and intergovernmental issues \u2014 within Tennessee county-government law.\n- Budget literacy: the commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes multi-year bond issues.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; committee work that pre-screens items.\n- Constituent relations in the district \u2014 case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Commissioner","partisan":null,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"County Commission District 4, Seat B"}