{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"JARROD \"J\" ELLIS","chatgptsummary":"Jarrod Ellis's biography shows experience in managing county records, overseeing technology modernization, and handling tax revenues as Carter County Register of Deeds. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate law enforcement leadership, jail oversight, or criminal law experience.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJarrod \"J\" Ellis is the incumbent Carter County Register of Deeds and is seeking re-election in 2026, running for the Republican nomination [1]. He has said that \"serving Carter County has been an honor and a privilege\" and has emphasized responsible stewardship and public trust [1].\n\n## Office history\nEllis took office as Register of Deeds in 2018 [1]. The register is elected to a four-year term and is responsible for making and preserving records of legal instruments filed in the county [2].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nEllis says he modernized the register's office technology, positioning Carter County among the most up-to-date in Tennessee, and preserved historical deed records dating to 1796 using earmarked data-processing funds at no cost to taxpayers [1]. He has cited record mortgage- and conveyance-tax revenues from 2020 to 2024 during a period of county growth, and work with other registers and legislators on property-fraud protections [1]. He is active in the community as a member of the Boys & Girls Club board, the Kiwanis Club, and the Friends of Sycamore Shoals board, and as treasurer of the VFW Post 2166 Auxiliary [1].\n\n## Family\nIn his candidacy announcement, Ellis said he is married to Megan and that they have two daughters, Hayes and Blake [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Ellis seeks reelection as Carter County register of deeds \u2014 Elizabethton Star](https://elizabethton.com/2025/12/19/ellis-seeks-reelection-as-carter-county-register-of-deeds/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Register of Deeds \u2014 Carter County TN](https://www.cartercountytn.gov/government/elected_officials/register_of_deeds.php) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"JARROD","lastname":"ELLIS","middlename":"\"J\"","suffix":null,"token":"62GTzDCCQ6"},"token":"jarrod_j_ellis"},{"candidatename":"WILLIAM MICHAEL FRALEY","chatgptsummary":"William Michael Fraley's biography shows four years of serving as Carter County sheriff, demonstrating organizational leadership and oversight of county jail operations within Tennessee law enforcement. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate prior experience developing operating budgets or coordinating with neighboring agencies.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nWilliam Michael \"Mike\" Fraley is the incumbent sheriff of Carter County and is seeking re-election in 2026 [1][2]. He won the May 5, 2026 Republican primary with more than 69% of the vote, defeating former deputy Thomas Smith [1][2]. After the primary, Fraley said he wanted to \"build on what we started four years ago\" and to \"finish what I started\" [1].\n\n## Office history\nFraley has served as Carter County sheriff since 2022 [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Mike Fraley wins Republican primary for Carter County sheriff \u2014 Elizabethton Star](https://elizabethton.com/2026/05/05/mike-fraley-wins-republican-primary-for-carter-county-sheriff/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [This year is shaping up to be busy political year \u2014 Elizabethton Star](https://elizabethton.com/2026/03/10/this-year-is-shaping-up-to-be-busy-political-year/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"WILLIAM","lastname":"FRALEY","middlename":"MICHAEL","suffix":null,"token":"v9YmElJtpO"},"token":"william_michael_fraley"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"sheriff","o.office":null,"office":"sheriff","officedescription":"The sheriff is the county's chief law-enforcement officer. The office operates the county jail, provides court security, serves civil process and executes warrants, and provides patrol and investigation \u2014 a large operational command with a substantial budget.","officequalities":"- Organizational leadership of a sheriff's office spanning patrol, investigations, court services, and the county jail.\n- Oversight of the county jail, including intake, inmate health, and release procedures.\n- Working knowledge of Tennessee criminal law, court process, and constitutional search-and-seizure standards.\n- Ability to develop and oversee the office's operating budget with public accountability.\n- Coordination with municipal police departments and neighboring-county and state agencies.\n- A documented law-enforcement or public-safety background.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"Sheriff","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-19","title":"carter County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://cms3.revize.com/revize/cartercounty/AUG%202026%20SAMPLE%20BALLOT.pdf"},"title":"Sheriff"}