{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"BOB L. LARKINS","chatgptsummary":"Bob L. Larkins currently serves on the Hawkins County Board of Education, demonstrating direct experience in policy judgment and constituent relations for a public school district. His appointment by county commissioners and subsequent election indicate familiarity with budget coordination and board governance. He has received a Boardsmanship Award from the Tennessee School Boards Association, suggesting completion of required training. Bio does not indicate prior experience in capital budget management or superintendent evaluation.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nBob L. Larkins is a sitting member of the Hawkins County Board of Education representing District 1, appointed by the Hawkins County Board of Commissioners in October 2025 to fill an unexpired term [1][2]. He is the Republican Party nominee for the District 1 unexpired-term seat on the August 6, 2026 general-election ballot [3], having won the Republican primary earlier in 2026 with 531 votes [4].\n\n## Office history\nSince joining the school board Larkins has been recognized by the Tennessee School Boards Association with a Boardsmanship Award, one of three Hawkins County members to receive the honor in the same cycle [5].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Hawkins County commission appoints Bob Larkins to school board (Kingsport Times News)](https://timesnews.net/news/4548/hawkins-county-commission-appoints-bob-larkins-to-school-board/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[2] [Hawkins County commission appoints Bob Larkins to school board (Johnson City Press)](https://johnsoncitypress.com/news/353796/hawkins-county-commission-appoints-bob-larkins-to-school-board/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[3] [Official Ballot, Hawkins County, August 6, 2026](https://hawkinscountytn.gov/pdfs/elections/sample_ballot.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[4] [3rd Notice Hawkins Co May 5](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/classifieds/community/public_notices/pdfdisplayad_7d454c9e-b421-5d2a-8ac7-37f77875f67f.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18\n[5] [TSBA recognizes achievements of local School Board members](https://www.therogersvillereview.com/rogersville/article_32b9cb68-4f3f-502f-876a-950456035bf1.html) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-18","firstname":"BOB","lastname":"LARKINS","middlename":"L.","suffix":null,"token":"a165Ps7Mv6"},"token":"bob_l_larkins"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"school_board","o.office":"county_school_board_district_1","office":"county_school_board_district_1","officedescription":"A school board member serves on the elected body that governs a public school district. The board sets district policy and budget priorities and hires and evaluates the superintendent, while leaving day-to-day management to the administration.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment for a public school district \u2014 setting direction while leaving day-to-day management to the superintendent.\n- Budget literacy for operating and capital budgets, in coordination with the county commission (which appropriates) and the state.\n- Ability to hire, evaluate, and when necessary replace the superintendent \u2014 the board's highest-stakes recurring decision.\n- Constituent relations with parents, teachers, principals, and community members.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required annual training through the Tennessee School Boards Association.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"Hawkins County Schools Board District 1","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-18","title":"Hawkins County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://www.hawkinscountytn.gov/pdfs/elections/sample_ballot.pdf"},"title":"School Board Member District 1 Unexpired Term"}