{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Matt Ferry","chatgptsummary":"Matt Ferry's biography shows relevant experience for the State Executive Committee through his tenure as chair of the Rutherford County Democratic Party starting in 2017, where he oversaw party operations and coordinated with local organizations. The record contains no controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience with state-level ballot-access requirements or intra-party governance beyond the county level.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMatt Ferry is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 48 in 2026 [1]. He appears on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. Ferry self-describes as a small business owner raised in Murfreesboro who graduated from Middle Tennessee State University [7].\n\nFerry has previously run for the same seat in the general elections of 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 [7]. He served as the chair of the Rutherford County Democratic Party starting in 2017 [2]. In his current campaign, he states that he is running due to \"outrageous corruption and grift\" within state government over the past sixteen years of Republican control [6]. As of May 2026, no endorsements from Democratic or progressive organizations have been recorded for his candidacy [4].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMatt Ferry was born in Lebanon, Tennessee [1]. He self-describes as a Middle Tennessee native and states that he was raised in Murfreesboro [2][7].\n\nFerry graduated from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) [1][7]. While some candidate profiles indicate that educational details were not provided, other sources confirm his bachelor's degree from the institution [1][5][7].\n\n## Career\n\nMatt Ferry is a small business owner who was raised in Murfreesboro and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University [7]. He obtained a bachelor's degree from that institution [1].\n\nPrior to his current campaign, Ferry served as the chair of the Rutherford County Democratic Party (RCDP) starting in 2017 [2]. During his tenure, he oversaw party operations and worked with various organizations advocating for healthcare rights, workers' rights, and environmental and economic justice [2]. His political engagement began after an internship with Organizing for Action (OFA), after which he started working with local candidates [2].\n\n## Office history\n\nMatt Ferry served as Chair of the Rutherford County Democratic Party, a position he was elected to in 2017 [2]. He held this role until at least 2024 [7]. During his tenure, he oversaw party operations and worked with various organizations advocating for healthcare rights, workers' rights, and environmental and economic justice [2].\n\nFerry has run for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 48 multiple times without holding the office. He was a candidate in the Democratic primaries for this seat in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 [7]. In the 2024 cycle, he appeared on the ballot for the Tennessee Democratic Party State Primary held on August 1, 2024 [3]. He is currently the Democratic candidate for District 48 in the upcoming primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nMatt Ferry has not held elected legislative office and therefore has no legislative record of sponsored bills or votes to report [7]. He is a small business owner who previously served as chair of the Rutherford County Democratic Party [2][7]. During his tenure as party chair, he oversaw party operations in Rutherford County, which includes parts of Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) [2].\n\nFerry has sought the Democratic nomination for Tennessee House District 48 in multiple prior cycles, including elections in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 [7]. He is currently running for this seat in the upcoming Democratic primary on August 6, 2026 [1][8]. As a candidate, he has received endorsements from Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood and Change TN [5].\n\nRegarding policy positions, Ferry states that he advocates for healthcare rights, workers' rights, and environmental and economic justice [2]. He characterizes his campaign as a response to what he describes as corruption and grift within state government, arguing that the average Tennessean has not benefited proportionally from budget increases under Republican control [6]. Specific legislative proposals or committee assignments are not detailed in available sources [3][5].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nMatt Ferry self-describes as a small business owner [7]. He was raised in Murfreesboro and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) [1][7]. Specific details regarding his business interests, ownership stakes, or the source of any family wealth are not provided in available records [3][5].\n\nFinancial disclosure information is limited in public sources. One profile notes that he made contributions to the State Democratic Party Organizations and Wayne Steele in 2022 [5]. No other significant financial-disclosure facts, sales of businesses, or detailed income sources are documented in the provided materials [3][5].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Matt Ferry - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Matt_Ferry)\n[2] [Matt Ferry - Run For Something](https://directory.runforsomething.net/candidate/804/ferry-matt/)\n[3] [Vote-USA | Matt Ferry | Candidate for State Representative District 48, Tennessee | August 1, 2024 Tennessee Democratic Party State Primary](https://vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?State=TN&Id=TNFerryMatt)\n[4] [Endorsements for Matt Ferry - Tennessee Democratic Party Candidate](https://bluevoterguide.org/TN/candidate_Matt_Ferry/301470)\n[5] [iVoterGuide - Matt Ferry iVoterGuide Profile](https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/73890/race/15677/election/1242?culture=es-us)\n[6] [Matt Ferry](https://mattferrytn48.com/)\n[7] [About Matt Ferry](https://mattferrytn48.com/about-matt)\n[8] [Matt Ferry | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/matt-ferry)","firstname":"Matt","lastname":"Ferry","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"Ctmmbc2kF2"},"token":"matt_ferry"},{"candidatename":"Austin Maxwell","chatgptsummary":"Austin Maxwell's biography shows relevant experience for the State Executive Committee through his tenure as Rutherford County Republican Party Chairman and current service on the Murfreesboro City Council. The record notes no controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience with state-level party rules or ballot-access requirements.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nAustin Maxwell serves as a Murfreesboro City Councilmember [1]. In May 2026, he announced his candidacy for one of the three Murfreesboro City Council seats in the upcoming August general election [4][5]. The election is scheduled for August 6, 2026, with early voting beginning July 17, 2026 [3].\n\nMaxwell, who identifies as a Republican, previously served as the Rutherford County Republican Party Chairman [4][5]. He initially announced his campaign through WGNS Radio and Main Street Media of Tennessee, stating that he would seek to continue his service on the city council [4][5]. His campaign website highlights issues such as smart growth and traffic management in the rapidly growing city [3].\n\nHowever, Maxwell later withdrew from the race. He announced his withdrawal on a Friday, citing factors including his family, employer, military obligations, and duties as party chairman [6].\n\n## Background and education\n\nAustin Maxwell is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee [1]. He was educated in public schools and graduated from Bearden High School in 1984 [2]. He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he graduated with a degree in Business Management in 1988 [1]. During his time at the university, Maxwell participated in the Army ROTC program and was commissioned as an officer in the Tennessee Army National Guard [2].\n\n## Career\n\nAustin Maxwell graduated from Bearden High School in 1984 and earned a degree in Business Management from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1988 [1]. He was commissioned as an officer in the Tennessee Army National Guard through the university's ROTC program [2]. His professional career includes work in the healthcare industry, with prior stops in Huntsville, Alabama, and Columbia, South Carolina [4].\n\nMaxwell and his wife Claire relocated to Murfreesboro in 1998 to raise their family while he continued his career in healthcare [5]. In addition to his professional work, he has served as the chairman of the Rutherford County Republican Party [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nAustin Maxwell served as Chairman of the Rutherford County Republican Party [4]. During his tenure, he also held leadership roles in community organizations, including leading the Riverdale Football Quarterback Club from 2010 to 2013 and coaching youth football in the Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation League [5].\n\nIn a bid for Murfreesboro City Council, Maxwell announced his candidacy for one of the three available seats during an upcoming August general election [4]. He later withdrew from this race, citing family, employer, military obligations, and other personal factors as reasons for the decision [6].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nMaxwell relocated to Murfreesboro in 1998 with his wife Claire to raise their family while pursuing a career in the healthcare industry [4][5]. He holds a degree in Business Management from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, which he earned in 1988 [1][2].\n\nMaxwell states that his decision to withdraw from the Murfreesboro City Council election was influenced by factors including his employer and military obligations [6]. Specific details regarding his employment, business ownership stakes, or sources of wealth are not provided in the available records.\n\n## Family\n\nAustin Maxwell married Claire Daniel in 1990 [1]. The couple relocated to Murfreesboro in 1998 to raise their family [4]. They have four sons: Matthew, Mitchell, Manning, and Michael [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Councilmember Austin Maxwell | Murfreesboro, TN - Official Website](https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/1964/Councilmember-Austin-Maxwell)\n[2] [Staff Directory \u2022 Austin Maxwell](https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/directory.aspx?EID=159)\n[3] [Austin Maxwell for Murfreesboro City Council](https://voteaustinmaxwell.com/)\n[4] [Campaign Announcement: Austin Maxwell for Murfreesboro City Council - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/74849/campaign-announcement-austin-maxwell-for-murfreesboro-city-council)\n[5] [Candidate announcement: Austin Maxwell for Murfreesboro City Council - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/murfreesboropost/candidate-announcement-austin-maxwell-for-murfreesboro-city-council/)\n[6] [GOP chairman withdraws from City Council race | News | murfreesboropost.com](https://www.murfreesboropost.com/news/gop-chairman-withdraws-from-city-council-race/article_e8939c6d-73de-5910-8913-81dc2e90d39a.html)","firstname":"Austin","lastname":"Maxwell","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"M2vFmXemk3"},"token":"austin_maxwell"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"party_exec_committee","o.office":null,"office":"tn_exec_committeeman_14","officedescription":"The State Executive Committee is the elected governing body of a Tennessee political party (Democratic or Republican). It is a party-organization office, not a government office \u2014 its members set party rules and organization, and are chosen by voters in that party's primary.","officequalities":"- Intra-party governance: the State Executive Committee is the elected governing body of a Tennessee political party, not a public office that legislates or administers government.\n- Working knowledge of party rules, conventions, ballot-access requirements, and how the party interacts with state election law.\n- Coordination with the party chair and county-level party committees.\n- This is a partisan party-organization role; voters in the party's primary choose the committee members. The qualities here describe party-organization fit, not government competency.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"State Executive Committee","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":null,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"TN State Executive Committeeman District 14"}