{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Jeff \"Cog\" Coggin","chatgptsummary":"Jeff Coggin's biography shows he is an independent candidate who successfully filed petition signatures to run for Tennessee House of Representatives District 21 in August 2026. The record contains no mention of disciplinary history or controversies. Bio does not indicate legislative craft experience or coalition-building experience.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJeff \"Cog\" Coggin is an independent candidate from Maryville running for Tennessee House of Representatives District 21, which covers parts of Loudon and Monroe counties, in the August 6, 2026 primary. He successfully filed the required petition signatures to qualify.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Candidates for Tennessee House of Representatives \u2013 Tennessee Secretary of State (March 24, 2026 filing list)](https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/TNHouse_Filed_2026-03-24.pdf)","firstname":"Jeff \"Cog\"","lastname":"Coggin","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"QdhP9qdBgE"},"token":null},{"candidatename":"Tom Stinnett","chatgptsummary":"Tom Stinnett's biography shows ten years of county commission service and current state legislative experience on Agriculture and Judiciary committees, demonstrating familiarity with local governance and statutory processes. In 2024, a campaign advertisement contested his voting record regarding Blount Memorial Hospital management. Bio does not indicate prior executive leadership experience or specific legislative drafting experience.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nTom Stinnett currently serves as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 20, having assumed office on November 5, 2024 [1][10]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1]. Stinnett is seeking re-election to represent the district in the 2026 Tennessee House of Representatives election [1][8]. He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary, which is scheduled to take place on August 6, 2026 [1].\n\nStinnett\u2019s campaign website states that he and his wife Patricia have been married for 41 years and that he has dedicated his life to serving the community while protecting conservative values [4]. He self-describes as a lifetime educator who spent nearly 40 years teaching Career and Technical Education and coaching sports teams in the Maryville City School System before serving ten years on the Blount County Commission [11]. During his tenure in the state legislature, Stinnett has been active in the Agriculture & Natural Resources and Civil Justice subcommittees of the Judiciary Committee [6]. In May 2025, he announced plans to meet with District Attorney General Ryan Desmond regarding public outcry over the sentencing of a former Blount County teacher [12].\n\n## Background and education\n\nTom Stinnett is a resident of Friendsville, Tennessee [9]. He earned degrees from East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee [6]. His professional background includes nearly 40 years spent educating children in Career and Technical Education and coaching sports teams within the Maryville City School System [2]. Most recently, he worked as a STEM teacher [1].\n\n## Career\n\nTom Stinnett earned degrees from East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee [4][6]. He spent nearly 40 years working in Career and Technical Education as a STEM teacher within the Maryville City School System [2][11]. During his tenure, he also coached several sports teams [2][11].\n\nPrior to his election to the state legislature, Stinnett served for ten years as a Blount County Commissioner representing District 7, Seat A [11]. He resigned from this position effective November 11, 2024 [9][14].\n\n## Office history\n\nStinnett served as a Blount County Commissioner for District 7, Seat A, for ten years before resigning effective November 11, 2024 [11][14]. He was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 20 in the general election on November 5, 2024, assuming office on January 14, 2025 [1][2][10]. In this role, he serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and its subcommittees, as well as the Civil Justice Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee [6]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1][8].\n\nStinnett is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 20 in the upcoming Republican primary on August 6, 2026 [1][8]. He previously sought the Republican nomination for the same seat in the 2024 election cycle, where he defeated incumbent Bryan Richey in the primary before winning the general election [5].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nTom Stinnett serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and its subcommittees on Agriculture and Civil Justice, as well as the Judiciary Committee [6]. He assumed office in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 20 on November 5, 2024, following his election to the 114th General Assembly [10].\n\nDuring his tenure, Stinnett has engaged with high-profile local issues, including meeting with Blount County District Attorney General Ryan Desmond to discuss the sentencing of former teacher Joseph Dalton and public concerns regarding student safety [12]. He also publicly supported Dr. Naramore\u2019s operation of Blount Memorial Hospital, voting against a super-majority of county commissioners who sought to return the hospital to profitability [3].\n\nStinnett has pledged support for congressional term limits by signing the Term Limits Pledge through U.S. Term Limits [13]. While his legislative record is active, specific sponsored bill numbers are not detailed in the available source material [1][9].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nIn August 2024, Stinnett faced a competitive Republican primary for District 20 against incumbent Representative Bryan Richey and other candidates [1]. Following the primary, an advertisement produced by a group supporting another candidate questioned Stinnett\u2019s voting record on Blount Memorial Hospital, alleging that he consistently voted \"NO\" to oppose the super-majority of Blount County Commissioners regarding the hospital's management [3]. The ad further claimed that Stinnett supported Dr. Naramore\u2019s operation of the community hospital, which it characterized as a money-losing enterprise, while opposing actions that resulted in the hospital returning to profitability [3].\n\nPrior to his election to the state legislature, Stinnett served on the Blount County Board of Commissioners for ten years [11]. His tenure ended when he resigned from District 7, Seat A effective November 11, 2024, to assume office in the Tennessee House of Representatives [9]. During his time as a commissioner, he participated in board meetings and sponsored legislation within the county government structure [14].\n\nAs a state representative, Stinnett has engaged in public advocacy regarding specific legal cases. In May 2025, following community outcry over the sentencing of former Blount County teacher Joseph Dalton, Stinnett announced plans to meet with District Attorney General Ryan Desmond to discuss the case and concerns for student safety [12].\n\nStinnett has also participated in national political advocacy efforts. In April 2024, he pledged support for congressional term limits by signing a commitment from U.S. Term Limits, an organization seeking to apply for an amendment proposal convention on the issue [13].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nTom Stinnett\u2019s professional background is rooted in education rather than private business ownership or family wealth. He spent nearly 40 years working as a STEM teacher and coach within the Maryville City School System [1][2][11]. Prior to his election to the state legislature, he served for ten years as a member of the Blount County Board of Commissioners, representing District 7 Seat A before resigning effective November 11, 2024 [9][11][14].\n\nPublic financial disclosure records and biographical summaries do not identify significant private business holdings, sales of enterprises, or sources of substantial personal wealth beyond his public service and teaching careers. LegiStorm tracks his legislative activity and notes the existence of personal financial disclosures, but specific details regarding assets, income sources, or business stakes are not provided in the available records [7]. His campaign materials emphasize his \"lifetime of community service\" and conservative values rather than commercial achievements [4][6].\n\n## Family\n\nTom Stinnett is married to Patricia, and the couple has been married for 41 years [4]. He states that he is a father and grandfather [11].\n\nStinnett\u2019s family members are not described as public figures or holding political office in the available sources.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Tom Stinnett - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Stinnett)\n[2] [Tom Stinnett - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Stinnett)\n[3] [Did Tom Stinnett REPRESENT YOU when he consistently ...](https://www.facebook.com/conservativeblountcounty/videos/did-tom-stinnett-represent-you-when-he-consistently-voted-no-opposing-the-super-/3550871088557603/)\n[4] [Republican Tom Stinnett for State House](https://www.tomstinnett4blount.com/)\n[5] [Blount's primary voters send Hatcher, Stinnett and DuBois to November general election | Mdt | thedailytimes.com](https://www.thedailytimes.com/mdt/blounts-primary-voters-send-hatcher-stinnett-and-dubois-to-november-general-election/article_15234540-503d-11ef-a4d3-b76576c58449.html)\n[6] [Representative Tom Stinnett \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-tom-stinnett/)\n[7] [Tennessee State Rep. Tommy Stinnett - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/516553/Tom_Stinnett.html)\n[8] [Tom Stinnett | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/tom-stinnett)\n[9] [Blount County Government - Tom Stinnett](https://blounttn.legistar.com/PersonDetail.aspx?ID=176118&GUID=0433772B-8B9B-48CA-B3B9-DF6B3389EF81)\n[10] [State Representative Tom Stinnett | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/29899)\n[11] [State Rep. Tom Stinnett sworn in for 114th Tennessee General Assembly \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/press-releases/2025/01/state-rep-tom-stinnett-sworn-in-for-114th-tennessee-general-assembly/)\n[12] [Outcry over former Blount County teacher\u2019s sentencing prompts action from Tennessee General Assembly](https://www.wvlt.tv/2025/05/06/outcry-over-former-blount-county-teachers-sentencing-prompts-action-tennessee-general-assembly/)\n[13] [Tom Stinnett Pledges to Support Congressional Term Limits - U.S. Term Limits](https://www.termlimits.com/tom-stinnett-pledges-to-support-congressional-term-limits/)\n[14] [Blount County Government - Tom Stinnett](https://blounttn.legistar.com/PersonDetail.aspx?ID=176118&GUID=0433772B-8B9B-48CA-B3B9-DF6B3389EF81&Search=)","firstname":"Tom","lastname":"Stinnett","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"NNBn5eHO9M"},"token":"tom_stinnett"},{"candidatename":"Karen Gertz","chatgptsummary":"Gertz's background as a technical writer and quality auditor suggests skills in legislative craft and reading statute language. Her diverse upbringing across multiple states may support understanding of varied constituent environments. The biography contains no record of controversy or disciplinary action. Bio does not indicate experience in coalition-building, persuasion, or direct public service.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nKaren Gertz is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 20 [1]. She appears on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][5]. As of May 2026, she has not secured endorsements from Democratic or progressive organizations [3].\n\nGertz states that her campaign is motivated by opposition to the state legislature's supermajority, which she characterizes as enacting regressive legislation that diminishes the rights and safety of Tennesseans [2]. She advocates for an inclusive and progressive approach to governance [2]. Her platform includes full support for the legalization, taxation, and regulation of marijuana, as well as medical use and decriminalization of possession [6]. Additionally, she supports The For Our Freedom Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending the influence of big money in politics [7].\n\n## Background and education\n\nKaren Gertz describes herself as a \"Navy kid\" who lived in diverse environments across the United States, including the Northeast, Florida, Tennessee, and California [4]. She earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in Biology from Maryville College in 2000 [1][4].\n\n## Career\n\nKaren Gertz earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in biology from Maryville College in 2000 [1]. Her professional background includes work as a technical writer and in quality assurance and auditing within the science industry [1].\n\nGertz describes herself as a \"Navy kid\" who lived in various locations across the United States, including the Northeast, Florida, Tennessee, and California, which she states helped her learn to embrace diverse environments and communities [4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Karen Gertz - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Karen_Gertz)\n[2] (source #2 not in master list)\n[3] [Endorsements for Karen Gertz - Tennessee Democratic Party Candidate](https://bluevoterguide.org/TN/candidate_Karen_Gertz/548316)\n[4] [Home - Karen Gertz for District 20](https://karengertztn.com/)\n[5] [Karen Gertz | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/karen-gertz)\n[6] [Karen Gertz - Smoke the Vote - NORML](https://vote.norml.org/politicians/216416)\n[7] [Karen Gertz - Supports The For Our Freedom Amendment](https://americanpromise.net/candidates/karen-gertz/)","firstname":"Karen","lastname":"Gertz","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"LgWsXNF655"},"token":"karen_gertz"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"020","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 20","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_020","office":"state_house_020","officedescription":"The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the state legislature, with 99 members elected from single-member districts to two-year terms. Representatives pass state laws, originate revenue bills, approve the state budget, and \u2014 together with the Senate \u2014 confirm gubernatorial appointments and propose constitutional amendments. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, U.S. citizens, Tennessee residents for at least three years, and district residents for at least one year.","officequalities":"- **Integrity** \u2014 Acts in the interest of constituents and the public good rather than for personal gain, and remains independent of undue influence from donors, lobbyists, and party leadership.\n- **Understanding of the constituency** \u2014 Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents \u2014 safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.\n- **Persuasion** \u2014 Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.\n- **Legislative craft** \u2014 Reads, drafts, and amends statute with care. Understands how specific bill language translates to outcomes, and knows the body of law being modified.\n- **Coalition-building** \u2014 Finds common ground across partisan and factional lines, brokers compromises that hold, and forms working majorities even when consensus is hard to reach.","officeterm":2,"officetitle":"State Representative District 20","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"TN State House District 20"}