{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"CRYSTAL JESSEE","chatgptsummary":"Crystal Jessee's biography shows twenty years of Tennessee legal practice, licensure in all state courts, and prior service as a Child Support Magistrate for the Third Judicial District. The record documents two public censures by the Board of Professional Responsibility regarding wiretap violations and frivolous statements about a judge, plus a pending civil lawsuit alleging mishandling of trust funds. Bio does not indicate experience presiding over jury trials or managing complex criminal sentencing dockets.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nCrystal Jessee is a Greeneville attorney running as an Independent for the Circuit Court Part II seat in Tennessee's Third Judicial District \u2014 which covers Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties \u2014 on the August 6, 2026 ballot [1][2]. The seat was vacated in early 2026 when Judge William E. Phillips II was elevated to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and the winner will fill the unexpired term [2]. Jessee previously sought the same seat in the May 2022 primary and lost [3]. Her platform emphasizes expanding the district's drug-court program to include a veterans' treatment court; she has said, \"We must be tough on crime while also being smart about solutions\" [1].\n\n## Background and education\nJessee is a native of Hawkins County who has spent much of her life split between Greene and Hawkins counties [1]. She returned to her family's farm in Bulls Gap after her father's death in 2022 and lives in Greeneville with her daughter, Kaitlyn [1]. She earned her law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and has been licensed to practice in Tennessee since 2005 [4].\n\n## Career\nJessee operates the Jessee Law Office in Greeneville, is licensed in all Tennessee courts and the U.S. Supreme Court, and serves as a family-law mediator listed with the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts [1][5]. She has previously served as a Child Support Magistrate for the Third Judicial District [3]. Jessee represents multiple upper East Tennessee counties in opioid and insulin settlement litigation intended to direct settlement funds back into impacted communities [1]. She is a member of the Greene County Republican Women's Club, the Greene County Andrew Johnson Women's Club and Greeneville Eastern Star, and attends Pleasant Hill Methodist Church [1].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nThe Tennessee Supreme Court's Board of Professional Responsibility has publicly censured Jessee twice. In October 2014, the Court censured her (under her then-name Crystal Michelle Goan) over conduct related to her divorce from James Roy Klumb; a federal court had found that she violated the federal Wiretap Act and the Tennessee Wiretap Act by installing spyware on the computers of Klumb's employers to intercept his incoming email, and had awarded him $10,000 in statutory damages plus $10,000 in punitive damages [6]. In April 2023, the Board issued a second public censure, finding that in a motion seeking recusal of Greene County General Sessions Judge Kenneth Bailey Jr. she had \"made a frivolous statement concerning the judge's representation of his current wife in a prior divorce proceeding without making reasonable inquiry regarding the truth of this assertion\" and had \"made a reckless statement that the judge had endorsed her opponent in an election,\" violating Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 3.1 (meritorious claims) and 8.2 (statements about judicial officials) [7]. Jessee told the Rogersville Review she was \"simply doing what was in my client's best interest\" and noted that a public censure does not affect an attorney's ability to practice law [7].\n\nSeparately, in July 2023 Jessee was named a defendant in a civil complaint filed in Greene County Circuit Court by Avery L. Cawood, alleging fraudulent conversion of funds from a trust account of the law firm of her late husband, Thomas C. Jessee [8]. The complaint alleges Cawood, described as a longtime friend of Thomas Jessee, provided a $100,000 short-term real-estate investment loan to be held in the Jessee & Jessee trust account in May 2021, and seeks compensatory damages exceeding $307,500 and punitive damages in excess of $1.22 million [8]. A jury trial has been requested; no court date had been set at the time of reporting [8].\n\n## Family\nJessee's father died in 2022, prompting her return to the family farm in Bulls Gap [1]. She lives in Greeneville with her daughter, Kaitlyn [1]. Her late husband Thomas C. Jessee, an attorney in Greeneville's Jessee & Jessee firm, died on July 27, 2021 [8].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Jessee announces candidacy for Third Judicial Circuit Court \u2014 Rogersville Review](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/news/article_bf57e8ab-b905-4941-a0d0-9b5f0986bd87.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[2] [Stapleton appointed Circuit Court Judge for 4 counties, including Greene \u2014 Greeneville Sun](https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/stapleton-appointed-circuit-court-judge-for-4-counties-including-greene/article_9809c4b8-174a-4928-b226-875e4c584e2c.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[3] [Jessee cites lessons learned in 20-year legal career in Circuit Court Judge race \u2014 Citizen Tribune](https://www.citizentribune.com/news/local/jessee-cites-lessons-learned-in-20-year-legal-career-in-circuit-court-judge-race/article_4db300bc-baa3-11ec-a1db-0f8eb74d5e65.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[4] [Attorney Details for Jessee, Crystal Goan \u2014 TN Board of Professional Responsibility](https://www.tbpr.org/attorneys/024445) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[5] [Crystal G. Jessee \u2014 TN Administrative Office of the Courts mediator directory](https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/mediation/find-mediator/crystal-g-jessee) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[6] [State Supreme Court Censures Attorney Goan \u2014 Greeneville Sun](https://www.greenevillesun.com/xml/nitf/article_52e7900f-d943-55cc-a63d-31c9fa5cf584.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[7] [Attorney Crystal Jessee censured over attempts to get judge to recuse himself \u2014 Rogersville Review](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/news/article_0489eb94-e487-11ed-89a3-7b5ff9ff1905.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[8] [Civil lawsuit claims Greeneville attorney mishandled funds \u2014 Kingsport Times News](https://timesnews.net/news/37886/civil-lawsuit-claims-greeneville-attorney-mishandled-funds/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18","firstname":"CRYSTAL","lastname":"JESSEE","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"s1uHpusdnO"},"token":"crystal_jessee"},{"candidatename":"MARK STEPHEN STAPLETON","chatgptsummary":"Mark S. Stapleton's thirty-five-year legal career and certification as a Civil Trial Specialist demonstrate relevant trial experience for presiding over civil and criminal cases. His current interim service on the bench provides direct exposure to judicial administration and docket management. The biography contains no record of disciplinary action or ethical controversies. Bio does not indicate prior appellate court experience or specific administrative leadership experience in a large judicial system.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMark S. Stapleton is a Rogersville attorney serving as interim Circuit Court Judge for Tennessee's Third Judicial District, Part II \u2014 covering Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties \u2014 after being appointed by Republican Governor Bill Lee on April 28, 2026 to fill the vacancy created when Judge William E. Phillips II was elevated to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section [1][2]. Stapleton is running as an Independent to hold the seat in the August 6, 2026 general election against Greeneville attorney Crystal Jessee [2]. He describes his judicial philosophy as one of \"judicial restraint and integrity\" and pledges to decide cases based on \"the original intent of the law\"; he self-identifies as a lifelong conservative [3].\n\n## Background and education\nStapleton, 63, is a lifelong East Tennessean [2]. He is married to Julianne and has children and grandchildren in the area [3]. He earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1985 and his Juris Doctor from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama in 1989, and was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1990 [4][5]. He also holds a master's-level advanced degree (LL.M.) in health law [5].\n\n## Career\nStapleton founded Stapleton Law Office, P.C. in Rogersville in 1997 and has practiced law for more than 35 years, concentrating in personal injury, criminal defense and insurance defense [5]. He has represented other attorneys in their own personal-injury matters, and has represented chiropractors, dentists, pharmacists and nurses in litigation including breach-of-contract claims and in defense before their respective disciplinary boards [5]. Stapleton is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, has been named to the Tennessee Super Lawyers list, and speaks frequently at continuing legal-education events [4][5]. According to his firm, its practice has obtained the highest jury verdict for a personal-injury case in Hawkins County, in excess of seven figures [5].\n\n## Office history\nStapleton took office as interim Circuit Court Judge, Third Judicial District, Part II following his April 28, 2026 appointment by Governor Lee and is serving in that role through the August 6, 2026 general election [1][2].\n\n## Family\nStapleton is married to Julianne and has children and grandchildren living in East Tennessee [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Stapleton sworn in as new Circuit Court justice \u2014 Rogersville Review](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/covid19/article_ad809f6e-b9bb-423e-81b8-bb99ae71dffe.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[2] [Stapleton appointed Circuit Court Judge for 4 counties, including Greene \u2014 Greeneville Sun](https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/local_news/stapleton-appointed-circuit-court-judge-for-4-counties-including-greene/article_9809c4b8-174a-4928-b226-875e4c584e2c.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[3] [Vote | Mark Stapleton for Circuit Court Judge \u2014 campaign site](https://www.stapletonforjudge.com/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[4] [Judge Mark S. Stapleton \u2014 Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts](https://tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/mark-s-stapleton) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[5] [About Stapleton Law Office \u2014 stapletonlawoffice.com](https://www.stapletonlawoffice.com/about/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18","firstname":"MARK","lastname":"STAPLETON","middlename":"STEPHEN","suffix":null,"token":"ZNvKWziCac"},"token":"mark_stephen_stapleton"},{"candidatename":"AARON JOSEPH CHAPMAN","chatgptsummary":"Aaron J. Chapman's fifteen-year legal career includes family law practice, mediation certification, and leadership in bar associations, demonstrating relevant procedural knowledge and community engagement for a trial judge. He previously served as City Attorney for Rutledge and chaired a county party committee. Bio does not indicate experience presiding over jury trials or managing complex criminal sentencing.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n**Withdrew April 8, 2026.** Aaron J. Chapman is a Morristown attorney who filed as an Independent for the vacant Circuit Court Judge Part II seat in Tennessee's Third Judicial District \u2014 covering Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties \u2014 on the August 6, 2026 ballot, then withdrew from the race on April 8, 2026, citing the compressed timeline for winding down his practice to accept the potential interim appointment and campaign for the general election [1][2]. The seat had been vacated when Judge William E. Phillips II was elevated to the Tennessee Court of Appeals in March 2026; Chapman was one of three initial candidates alongside Rogersville attorney Mark Stapleton (who was subsequently appointed interim judge by Governor Bill Lee) and Greeneville attorney Crystal Jessee (who remains on the August ballot) [2]. Because the vacancy occurred after the May 2 primary filing deadline, all three candidates ran officially as Independents in the August 6 general election [2]. Chapman said in his withdrawal statement, \"Upon much reconsideration I have found that I simply cannot be in a position to accept a potential appointment to the vacancy, pause my active practice, take further immediate efforts to wind down my practice, and effectively campaign for the August 6 election\" [2].\n\n## Background and education\nChapman has lived in Hamblen County most of his life; he is originally from Russellville and graduated from Morristown East High School with High Honors [1][3]. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration, majoring in Public Administration, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and completed his J.D. at UT's College of Law, where he worked in the Legal Clinic, served as 3rd-year editor for the Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy, received the W.K. McClure Fellowship Award for International Studies, and completed coursework in International Trade Law and International Corporate Governance in Rio de Janeiro [1][3]. He was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 2009 [4].\n\n## Career\nChapman founded Lakeway Family Law in Morristown and has practiced across roughly 19 East Tennessee counties over more than 15 years, handling thousands of matters primarily in family law [1][3]. He is licensed in all Tennessee courts, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court [1][3]. He previously served as City Attorney for Rutledge [1]. Chapman is a Rule 31 civil and family mediator listed with the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts [5].\n\n## Office history\nChapman has not held elected office. He chaired the Hamblen County Republican Party from 2017 to 2019 [1]. He served as President of the Hamblen County Bar Association in 2023 and as President of the Board of Directors of Legal Aid of East Tennessee \u2014 which serves 26 East Tennessee counties \u2014 from 2022 to 2024, and currently sits on the Tennessee Bar Association's Board of Governors as the Third Judicial District's representative in the TBA House of Delegates [1][3].\n\n## Family\nChapman has been married to Lindsey since 2011; they have two children and attend First Baptist Church Morristown [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Chapman seeks to succeed Phillips on Circuit Court \u2014 Rogersville Review, Mar 20 2026](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/news/article_8b8ade50-ef96-4f51-bf33-b02e93216239.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[2] [Chapman withdraws from Circuit Court race \u2014 Rogersville Review, Apr 9 2026](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/article_cfd9b6ca-1641-4535-93a3-c5edb9708cf7.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[3] [About \u2014 Aaron J. Chapman Attorney at Law (lakeway.law)](https://lakeway.law/about/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[4] [Attorney Details for Aaron Joseph Chapman, BPR #028428 \u2014 TN Board of Professional Responsibility](https://www.tbpr.org/attorneys/028428) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[5] [Aaron Chapman \u2014 TN Administrative Office of the Courts mediator directory](https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/mediation/find-mediator/aaron-chapman) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[6] [May and August primary races appear all set \u2014 Rogersville Review, Mar 24 2026](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/news/article_8547d5f1-b98e-4143-b546-0f101d6c342a.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n","firstname":"AARON","lastname":"CHAPMAN","middlename":"JOSEPH","suffix":null,"token":"kqkFafvYkU"},"token":"aaron_joseph_chapman"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"3","districtgroup":"tn_judicial_district","districtgroupname":"Judicial District","districtname":"3rd Judicial District","job_type":"circuit_court_judge","o.office":"circuit_court_part_2_district_3","office":"circuit_court_part_2_district_3","officedescription":"A circuit court judge presides over the general civil and criminal trial court \u2014 jury and bench trials, dispositive motions, and sentencing. Decisions are subject to appellate review.","officequalities":"- Trial-court judge of general civil and criminal jurisdiction \u2014 presides over jury and bench trials, dispositive motions, and sentencing.\n- Judicial temperament: the willingness to listen, deliberate, and apply the law dispassionately to people whose lives are deeply affected by the outcome.\n- Impartiality and ethics under the Tennessee Rules of Judicial Conduct, including disqualification when conflicts arise.\n- Working knowledge of the substantive and procedural law applied in the court and the published precedent that controls.\n- Docket management: moving cases efficiently while honoring due process.\n- Clear written and oral explanation of rulings, so the parties and the public can follow the reasoning.","officeterm":8,"officetitle":"Circuit Court Judge, Part II, 3rd Judicial District","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-19","title":"hamblen County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://www.hamblencountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/delightful-downloads/2026/06/County-General.pdf"},"title":"Circuit Court Judge Part Ii District 3"}