{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Ben Shepard","chatgptsummary":"Ben Shepard's biography shows he is a native engineer from a family of public servants who prioritizes safety and communication. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate executive management experience or familiarity with Tennessee county-government law.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nBen Shepard is an independent candidate for Dickson County Mayor on the August 6, 2026 county-general ballot [1]. He entered the race late, announcing his candidacy over a weekend just days before the February filing deadline [2].\n\nAt the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce mayoral forum, Shepard, whom the coverage described as a native engineer from a family of public servants, said his priorities are safety, schools, and supporting local farmers, and he stressed communicating with residents about county challenges and maintaining agricultural areas amid growth [1].\n\n## Career\n\nShepard is an engineer and a Dickson County native from a family of public servants [1].\n\n## Office history\n\nShepard is running as an independent through GoodParty.org, where his pledge includes running outside the two-party system, accepting majority funding from grassroots donors, maintaining transparency about his agenda, and running a civil campaign [3].\n\n## Further candidate material (not accessible for this profile)\n\n- [Ben Shepard for Dickson County Mayor - Facebook (@shep4dickson)](https://www.facebook.com/shep4dickson/) (campaign social page; may require login)\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Dickson County Chamber of Commerce holds county mayoral candidate forum - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/dicksonpost/dickson-county-chamber-of-commerce-holds-county-mayoral-candidate-forum/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Six Candidates Enter Dickson County Mayor's Race as Filing Deadline Nears - Dickson Times](https://www.dicksontimes.com/the-news/six-candidates-enter-dickson-county-mayors-race-as-filing-deadline-nears) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Ben Shepard for Dickson County Mayor - Good Party](https://goodparty.org/candidate/ben-shepard/dickson-county-mayor) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"Ben","lastname":"Shepard","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"feqGZcJI2Z"},"token":"ben_shepard"},{"candidatename":"Danny W Williams","chatgptsummary":"Danny W. Williams's biography shows eight years of executive experience as mayor of White Bluff and ownership of a construction firm, alongside service on planning and zoning boards. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience in preparing county budgets or familiarity with Tennessee county-government law.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nDanny W. Williams is the Republican nominee for Dickson County Mayor on the August 6, 2026 county-general ballot [1]. The seat is open: incumbent Mayor Bob Rial, in the post since 2010, chose not to seek re-election [1]. In the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, Williams won with 3,159 votes (70.86%), defeating Stacey Batey, who received 1,259 votes (28.24%) [1]. In the August general election he faces independent candidates [1].\n\nAt a Dickson County Chamber of Commerce mayoral forum, Williams emphasized his executive-branch experience, saying, \"I have the experience to be able to manage,\" and described himself as the strongest candidate for the position [2].\n\n## Career\n\nWilliams is a Dickson County native and a former mayor of White Bluff, experience he frames as roughly eight years in an executive role [2]. He owns a construction company and has served on planning and zoning boards [2].\n\n## Office history\n\nAfter suspending his own independent campaign for mayor on May 30, 2026, Commissioner Ray Ledger urged his supporters to vote for Williams in the general election [3].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Unofficial May 5 Primary results, Aug. 6 County General candidates set - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/dicksonpost/may-5-primary-results-aug-6-county-general-candidates-determined/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Dickson County Chamber of Commerce holds county mayoral candidate forum - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/dicksonpost/dickson-county-chamber-of-commerce-holds-county-mayoral-candidate-forum/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Ray Ledger, Jr. suspends campaign for Dickson County mayor - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/dicksonpost/ray-ledger-jr-suspends-campaign-for-dickson-county-mayor/) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"Danny","lastname":"Williams","middlename":"W","suffix":null,"token":"kex5psWlpp"},"token":"danny_w_williams"},{"candidatename":"Ray Ledger","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"Ray","lastname":"Ledger","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"5VASQaNgAu"},"token":"ray_ledger"},{"candidatename":"Reginald \"Reggie\" Weaver","chatgptsummary":"Weaver's biography shows experience managing large entities and small businesses alongside an MBA and education background, relevant to executive management and budget preparation. He has no documented controversies or disciplinary records. Bio does not indicate experience with Tennessee county-government law or crisis-management skills.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nReginald \"Reggie\" Weaver is an independent candidate for Dickson County Mayor on the August 6, 2026 county-general ballot [1][2]. It is his first run for public office [1]. At the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce mayoral forum he framed his campaign around people-centered leadership, saying, \"My whole campaign is about people and what we can do to better each others' lives\" [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nWeaver holds a Master of Business Administration and has a background in education [1].\n\n## Career\n\nWeaver has experience managing both large entities and small businesses [1].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Dickson County Chamber of Commerce holds county mayoral candidate forum - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/dicksonpost/dickson-county-chamber-of-commerce-holds-county-mayoral-candidate-forum/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Six Candidates Enter Dickson County Mayor's Race as Filing Deadline Nears - Dickson Times](https://www.dicksontimes.com/the-news/six-candidates-enter-dickson-county-mayors-race-as-filing-deadline-nears) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"Reginald","lastname":"Weaver","middlename":"\"Reggie\"","suffix":null,"token":"eshdyibLLU"},"token":"reginald_reggie_weaver"},{"candidatename":"Caleb M Wray","chatgptsummary":"Caleb M. Wray's biography shows executive management experience through owning a tax practice and consulting business, alongside financial skills relevant to budget preparation. He has served in leadership roles for local organizations like the Dickson County Cancer Auction and the state board for Tennessee Friends of the Library. The record contains no controversies or disciplinary history. Bio does not indicate experience with county government law or crisis management.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nCaleb M. Wray is an independent candidate for Dickson County Mayor on the August 6, 2026 county-general ballot [1][2]. At the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce mayoral forum he emphasized financial management, saying, \"When it comes to managing the budget and finances, it's second nature to me\" [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nWray is a Tennessee native from West Tennessee who relocated to Dickson County in early 2018 [3]. His accounting foundation began in college at the University of Memphis, and he later pursued formal tax-preparation training [3].\n\n## Career\n\nWray owns Charlotte Tax & Accounting; he left a previous firm in June 2020 to open his own tax practice, and he operates a consulting business advising businesses, individuals, and nonprofits [1][3]. He also serves as the evangelist (preacher) for the Rock Church of Christ in Charlotte, having relocated to the area to serve the congregation [3].\n\n## Office history\n\nWray's community involvement includes serving as president of the Dickson County Cancer Auction, treasurer of the Renaissance Players, membership in the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce, service on the state board for Tennessee Friends of the Library, and accounting work for Dickson County Relay for Life [1][3].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Dickson County Chamber of Commerce holds county mayoral candidate forum - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/dicksonpost/dickson-county-chamber-of-commerce-holds-county-mayoral-candidate-forum/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [The 2026 Dickson County Elections: A Quiet Ballot in Some Places - A Political Fight in Others - Dickson Times](https://www.dicksontimes.com/the-news/the-2026-dickson-county-elections-a-quiet-ballot-in-some-places-a-political-fight-in-others) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [About Us - Charlotte Tax & Accounting](https://dicksoncotax.com/?arts_portfolio_item=about-us) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"Caleb","lastname":"Wray","middlename":"M","suffix":null,"token":"kutqrMy1Rq"},"token":"caleb_m_wray"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_mayor","o.office":null,"office":"county_mayor","officedescription":"The county mayor (county executive in some counties) is the county's chief executive and administrative officer. The mayor prepares the annual budget for the county commission, oversees the daily operation of county departments, and represents the county in intergovernmental dealings. It is an administrative office: the commission sets policy, the mayor runs the operation.","officequalities":"- Executive management of county government across departments such as roads, finance, planning, and emergency management.\n- Ability to prepare and defend an annual budget before the county commission.\n- Intergovernmental capacity: coordinating with the municipalities within the county, the State of Tennessee, and federal agencies.\n- Working familiarity with Tennessee county-government law, the county charter where one exists, and open-meetings and procurement rules.\n- Public-facing communication and, when needed, crisis-management skills.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Mayor","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-19","title":"dickson County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://www.dicksoncountyelection.com/home/index.php/download_file/view/224/1/"},"title":"County Mayor"}