{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Mona Petro","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"Mona Petro is a Democratic candidate running for Hamilton County Commission District 1 in the August 6, 2026 primary election [10]. She is challenging the incumbent, who is referred to as Shipley in local reporting [10].\n\nPetro\u2019s entry into the race was announced in early January 2026. At the time of her announcement, she had recently experienced the death of her husband approximately a year and a half prior, which she cited as a catalyst for seeking public office [10]. In media coverage surrounding her candidacy, Petro was photographed answering questions during an interview at Drip Kitchen and Coffee in Hixson [10].\n\nAs of the provided sources, specific details regarding her professional background, prior elected service, or policy platform are not included in the available text. The Hamilton County Commission is a local governing body in Tennessee, and District 1 represents a specific geographic area within Hamilton County [4]. Petro\u2019s candidacy is part of the broader 2026 election cycle in Tennessee, which includes various federal, state, and local races [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [2] [Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_gubernatorial_election,_2026)\n- [3] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [4] [Candidate Information | Williamson County, TN - Official Site](https://www.williamsoncounty-tn.gov/1743/Candidate-Information)\n- [5] [2026 Election United States House - Tennessee - District 07 - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/TN/07/2026/)\n- [6] [2026 Election United States House - Tennessee - District 05 - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/TN/05/2026/)\n- [7] [2026 Election United States Senate - Tennessee - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/TN/2026/)\n- [8] [2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Tennessee)\n- [9] [2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Tennessee_gubernatorial_election)\n- [10] [Democratic challenger announces run for Shipley\u2019s seat on Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/02/democratic-challenger-announces-run-for-shipleys/)","firstname":"Mona","lastname":"Petro","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"xY74vGKaXp"},"token":"mona_petro"},{"candidatename":"Gene-o Shipley","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"Hubert Gene \"Gene-o\" Shipley is a Republican politician serving as the Hamilton County Commissioner for District 1 in Tennessee [6]. He represents the northernmost district of the county, which includes the city of Soddy-Daisy and communities such as Sale Creek and Mowbray Mountain [6]. Shipley first assumed office in 2022 after defeating incumbent Randy Fairbanks in the primary election [6], [7]. He is currently seeking a second term in the 2026 Republican primary for this position [6], [11].\n\nPrior to his county service, Shipley spent 28 years serving on the Soddy-Daisy Board of Commissioners, including terms as mayor and vice mayor [9]. During his tenure in Soddy-Daisy, he was instrumental in establishing and funding the Veterans Memorial Park and supporting the construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in 2009 [7]. He also helped bring a sewer system to the city and supported the acquisition of Big Soddy Gulf [9]. Shipley established his business, Shipley Plumbing, after growing up in Soddy-Daisy and attending its local schools [9].\n\nAs Hamilton County Commissioner, Shipley serves as Chairperson of the Building and Economic Development Committee and as an Alternate on the Education Committee [3]. In these roles, he reviews county facility planning, capital needs, and real estate matters while collaborating with economic development partners to recruit and retain business [3]. He also consults on educational plans and budgets in coordination with the school superintendent [3]. Additionally, he serves on the Public Safety Committee, acting as a liaison to the Sheriff\u2019s Office and overseeing emergency operations and justice system coordination [3].\n\nShipley announced his candidacy for re-election in September 2025, citing his support for law enforcement, public works, and volunteer fire departments as key achievements of his first term [11]. He has also focused on infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to local schools and the planned revamping of Soddy-Daisy Middle School [11]. In August 2025, Shipley repaid $462 in expense funds to the county after it was revealed he had expensed trips from his home to the courthouse [8].\n\nShipley is a 48-year member of the Oak Street Baptist Church and a member of the Alhambra Shriners and Soddy Masonic Lodge #418 [7]. He married his high school classmate, Rita \"Dede\" Smith, in 1973; they had two children, Amy and Trey, and five grandchildren [7], [12]. Dede Shipley passed away in October 2025 after a long illness [12].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_gubernatorial_election,_2026)\n- [2] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [Gene-o Shipley, District 1 commissioner, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/District1.aspx)\n- [4] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [5] [2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Tennessee_gubernatorial_election)\n- [6] [Gene-o Shipley announces run for second term on Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/sep/23/gene-o-shipley-announces-run-for-second-term-on/)\n- [7] [Longtime Soddy Daisy Commissioner Gene-o Shipley Announces Run For Hamilton County Commission - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2022/1/25/442149/Longtime-Soddy-Daisy-Commissioner.aspx)\n- [8] [Hamilton County commissioners pay back some expense funds | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/aug/27/hamilton-county-commissioners-pay-back-some/)\n- [9] [Gene-o Shipley Leaving Soddy Daisy Commission After 28 Years Of Service - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2024/11/9/495269/Gene-o-Shipley-Leaving-Soddy-Daisy.aspx)\n- [10] [Opinion: Bill in state legislature would prevent relatively recent \u2018double-dipping\u2019 of government officials | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/mar/13/cooper-bill-in-state-legislature-would-prevent/)\n- [11] [Gene-o Shipley Seeks Another Term As District 1 County Commissioner - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/9/22/508901/Gene-o-Shipley-Seeks-Another-Term-As.aspx)\n- [12] [County Commissioner Gene-O Shipley Mourns Loss Of Wife, Dede - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/10/13/509872/County-Commissioner-Gene-O-Shipley.aspx)","firstname":"Gene-o","lastname":"Shipley","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"tWljy4ucvc"},"token":"gene_o_shipley"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"1","districtgroup":"county_commission","districtgroupname":"County Commission","districtname":"District 1","job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":"county_commission_district_1","office":"county_commission_district_1","officedescription":"A county commissioner is a member of the county's legislative body. The commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, authorizes borrowing, and passes county resolutions and ordinances. Commissioners are elected from districts (or at-large seats) to represent constituents on countywide policy.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on countywide matters \u2014 budget, taxes, land use, services, intergovernmental \u2014 within Tennessee county-government law and the Shelby County Charter.\n- Budget literacy: the 13-member commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes bond issues that span decades.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; chairing or sitting on committees that pre-screen items.\n- Constituent relations in a single-member district of roughly 70,000 residents \u2014 case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required seven hours of annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Commission District 1","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":null,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"County Commission District 1"}