{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"ERIC J. MAUPIN","chatgptsummary":"Maupin's biography shows executive management of a large farm and leadership roles with state agricultural agencies, demonstrating budget oversight and intergovernmental coordination relevant to county administration. He served on the Governor's Rural Challenge steering committee and a state task force, indicating experience in public-facing communication and crisis management. Bio does not indicate experience with Tennessee county-government law or emergency management operations.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nEric J. Maupin is the Republican nominee for Dyer County Mayor in the August 6, 2026 county general election [1][2]. His campaign centers on five stated priorities: strengthening the county economy, supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses, leading with transparency and fiscal responsibility, championing local schools, and promoting community pride [1].\n\n## Background and education\nMaupin is a fourth-generation farmer from Newbern in Dyer County [1]. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1997 with a degree in agricultural business and a minor in communications [1].\n\n## Career\nAfter graduating in 1997, Maupin was appointed Director of International Agricultural Marketing for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, where he worked to expand global markets for Tennessee agricultural products [1]. In 2001 he returned home to manage Maupin Farms, later becoming its sole owner [1]. He was named Tennessee Young Farmer of the Year in 2009, served on the American Soybean Association's board of directors and executive committee, was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam to the Governor's Rural Challenge steering committee, and served on the Tennessee Dicamba Task Force [1].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\nMaupin owns and operates Maupin Farms, a Newbern-based operation that he reports has grown to more than 3,000 acres producing soybeans, corn, wheat, and cattle [1].\n\n## Family\nMaupin and his wife, JoAnn, have three children \u2014 Cara, Chloe, and Camille \u2014 and attend Lenox Baptist Church, where he serves as music leader [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Eric Maupin for Mayor](https://www.maupin4mayor.com/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Next Election Info | Dyer County, TN](https://www.dyercounty.com/next-election) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"ERIC","lastname":"MAUPIN","middlename":"J.","suffix":null,"token":"6Y5f41kpyG"},"token":"eric_j_maupin"},{"candidatename":"JERRY BROCK","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"JERRY","lastname":"BROCK","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"ZhP4TN0i7M"},"token":"jerry_brock"}],"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":"2026-07-21","title":"Dyer County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://files.elfsightcdn.com/eafe4a4d-3436-495d-b748-5bdce62d911d/231ab3db-b3b5-4de8-a358-6b12acd12a71/Dyer-PG26-Newspaper-Ballot.pdf"},"title":"County Mayor"}