{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Daniel F. Jones","chatgptsummary":"Daniel F. Jones's biography shows he is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 24 in Bradley County and Cleveland, indicating potential engagement with local constituents. The record does not mention prior legislative service, committee work, or experience drafting statutes. Bio does not indicate experience in coalition-building or persuasive negotiation within the legislature.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nDaniel F. Jones is a candidate in the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 24 (Bradley County/Cleveland) in the 2026 election [1]. If he wins the primary, he would face incumbent Republican Kevin Raper in the November general election [1][2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Petitions Filed for Tennessee House of Representatives as of March 12, 2026](https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/TNHouse_Filed_2026-03-12.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-20\n[2] [Representative Kevin Raper \u2013 Tennessee General Assembly](https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member.aspx?district=h24) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-20","firstname":"Daniel F.","lastname":"Jones","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"DUwxt34LKc"},"token":null},{"candidatename":"Kevin Raper","chatgptsummary":"Kevin Raper's biography shows relevant experience as an incumbent State Representative for District 24 and a former Bradley County Commissioner, alongside a background as a lifelong educator with advanced degrees in mathematics education. The record documents no controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate prior legislative drafting experience or specific coalition-building experience across partisan lines.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nKevin Raper is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 24, which encompasses Cleveland and parts of unincorporated Bradley County [2][8]. He assumed office on November 8, 2022, following his election to succeed Mark Hall [1][2]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1][12].\n\nRaper is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 24 in the 2026 cycle [1][12]. He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][12]. As an incumbent, he continues to represent the district during this upcoming election period [3].\n\nDuring his tenure, Raper has focused on legislative priorities and community engagement. In September 2025, he announced that state funding of $43,830 would be allocated to Bradley County arts groups, including grants for the Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points and Lee University [5]. Earlier in 2025, Raper returned to the General Assembly on March 27 after undergoing a successful liver transplant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in February [6][10]. He has described his recovery as rapid and well ahead of schedule [6][10].\n\nRaper self-describes as a lifelong educator and servant to his community, emphasizing that his relationship with Christ is central to his life and political service [7]. His professional background includes an educational specialist degree from Tennessee Tech University (1998), a master's degree from Tusculum University (1996), and a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (1987) [1][3]. He is a member of the Bradley County Republican Party and the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce [3].\n\n## Background and education\n\nKevin Raper was born on January 17, 1964 [2][8]. He graduated from McMinn Central High School in 1982 [1]. Raper earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1987 [1][3]. He later obtained a Master of Education from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee, in 1996, and an Educational Specialist degree from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, in 1998 [3].\n\nRaper self-describes as a lifelong educator and states that his relationship with Christ is the most important aspect of his life [7]. He is a member of the First Baptist Church and the Bradley County Republican Party [3].\n\n## Career\n\nKevin Raper is a lifelong educator who graduated from McMinn Central High School in 1982 [1]. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1987 [1][3]. He later obtained a Master of Education from Tusculum University in 1996 and an Educational Specialist degree from Tennessee Tech University in 1998 [3]. Raper self-describes as a servant to his community and emphasizes that his relationship with Christ is the most important aspect of his life [7].\n\nRegarding military service, business ownership, and professional licenses, candidate profiles have not provided specific details on these topics [3][4].\n\n## Office history\n\nKevin Raper served on the Bradley County Commission from the 7th district from September 2018 to September 2022, succeeding Mark Hall and being succeeded by Josh Rogers [2]. He was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 24 in the general election held on November 8, 2022, assuming office on January 10, 2023, after succeeding Mark Hall [2]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nRaper ran for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 24 as an incumbent in the Republican primary held on August 6, 2026 [1]. The outcome of this election is unknown as it has not yet occurred relative to the current date [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nKevin Raper serves in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 24, a district encompassing Cleveland and parts of unincorporated Bradley County [8]. He assumed office on November 8, 2022, following his election to represent the area previously held by Mark Hall [1], [2]. As an incumbent Republican, Raper is seeking re-election in the August 6, 2026, primary for a term ending on November 3, 2026 [1], [12].\n\nDuring his tenure, Raper has focused on supporting local cultural and educational initiatives within his district. In September 2025, he announced that Bradley County arts organizations would receive $43,830 in state funding from the 2025-26 budget [5]. This allocation included three grants totaling $34,820 for the Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points and two grants totaling $9,010 for Lee University [5]. Raper described this support as an investment in the people and culture of Bradley County, emphasizing that funding the arts strengthens communities and preserves local heritage [5].\n\nRaper\u2019s legislative record includes a lifetime score of 80 from the Tennessee Legislative Research Center (TLRC), with a session vote score of 69 [9]. He is affiliated with the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and the Bradley County Republican Party [3]. In March 2025, Raper returned to the General Assembly following a successful liver transplant performed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in February of that year [6], [10]. Doctors reported that his recovery was ahead of schedule, with his new liver operating at full function [6].\n\nRaper self-describes as a lifelong educator and servant to his community, stating that his relationship with Christ is the most important aspect of his life [7]. He identifies himself as conservative in political orientation [3]. His official contact information includes a Capitol office in Nashville and a district office at 3440 Edgewood Cir NW in Cleveland, TN [4], [11].\n\n## Family\n\nKevin Raper has two children [2]. He is a member of the First Baptist Church and self-describes his relationship with Christ as the most important aspect of his life [3][7].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Kevin Raper - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kevin_Raper)\n[2] [Kevin Raper - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Raper)\n[3] [iVoterGuide - Kevin Raper iVoterGuide Profile](https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/67208/race/15628/election/1242)\n[4] [Vote-USA | Kevin D. Raper | Currently Elected State Representative District 24, Tennessee](https://vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?State=TN&Id=TNRaperKevinD)\n[5] [Rep. Kevin Raper Secures $43,830 For Bradley County Arts Groups - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/9/11/508400/Rep.-Kevin-Raper-Secures-43830-For.aspx)\n[6] [State Rep. Kevin Raper To Return To General Assembly Following Successful Liver Transplant - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/3/25/501204/State-Rep.-Kevin-Raper-To-Return-To.aspx)\n[7] [Meet Kevin Raper ~ Candidate for Tennessee House District 24 | In this short video, I share my most important beliefs. I have been a lifelong educator and servant to my community and I promise to serve and strongly... | By Representative Kevin Raper | Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/KevinRaperTN/videos/meet-kevin-raper-candidate-for-tennessee-house-district-24/746778049887898/)\n[8] [Contact Representative Kevin Raper of Tennessee | Official Contact Information](https://sengov.com/states/tennessee/kevin-raper/)\n[9] [Tennessee House District 24 - Raper - TLRC](https://tnreportcard.org/representatives/tn-hd24-raper/)\n[10] [Rep. Kevin Raper to return to General Assembly following successful liver transplant | News | clevelandbanner.com](https://www.clevelandbanner.com/news/rep-kevin-raper-to-return-to-general-assembly-following-successful-liver-transplant/article_ad20bfd9-42ba-50ab-bc32-57948d39f872.html)\n[11] [State Representative Kevin Raper | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/28530)\n[12] [Kevin Raper | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/kevin-raper)","firstname":"Kevin","lastname":"Raper","middlename":"D.","suffix":null,"token":"ucVImcVvb5"},"token":"kevin_raper"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"024","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 24","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_024","office":"state_house_024","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 24","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":null,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-06-01","title":"TN SoS \u2014 Candidates for Tennessee House of Representatives (2026)","url":"https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/TNHouse_2026.pdf"},"title":"TN House District 24"}