{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"KATY \"FOX\" HUFFAKER","chatgptsummary":"Huffaker's tenure as an incumbent Jefferson County Commissioner demonstrates relevant experience in policy judgment and legislative processes through committee work on Finance, Facilities, Public Records, and Long Range Planning. Her background includes analytical roles with the U.S. Department of Energy and community leadership via local boards and volunteer awards. Bio does not indicate prior experience managing multi-year bond issues or completing state-required annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nKaty \"Fox\" Huffaker is the incumbent Jefferson County Commissioner for District 1 and a Republican nominee for re-election in the August 6, 2026 county general election, which fills two District 1 seats.[1] She has emphasized fiscal responsibility, infrastructure maintenance, economic development, and support for public services and schools.[2]\n\n## Background and education\nHuffaker graduated from Jefferson County High School in 1988 and earned a degree in biology from the University of Tennessee.[2] She is active in the community as a member of First Baptist Church in Dandridge, a graduate of Leadership Jefferson County, a Jefferson County Historic Society board member, and a member of the Jefferson Memorial Tennova Hospital Board of Directors; she received Jefferson County Schools' \"School Bell Award\" in 2013-2014 for volunteer work at Dandridge Elementary School.[2]\n\n## Career\nHuffaker worked for several years in analytical environmental laboratory settings for entities connected to the U.S. Department of Energy.[2]\n\n## Office history\nHuffaker serves on the Jefferson County Commission, where her committee assignments have included Finance (as vice chair), Facilities, Public Records, and Long Range Planning.[2][3]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Official Sample Ballot, Jefferson County TN, August 6, 2026](https://jeffersoncountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/JCTN_August-6-2026-Sample-Ballot.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Katy \"Fox\" Huffaker Announces Candidacy For Re-Election, District 1 (The Jefferson County Post)](https://jeffersoncountypost.com/?p=57862) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Jefferson County Commissions/Boards/Committees (April 2026)](https://jeffersoncountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alpha-Chart-April-2026.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"KATY","lastname":"HUFFAKER","middlename":"\"FOX\"","suffix":null,"token":"59JgMUAQ0d"},"token":"katy_fox_huffaker"},{"candidatename":"JAN LEJA","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"JAN","lastname":"LEJA","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"oi9lmBcB2H"},"token":"jan_leja"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":null,"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, and intergovernmental issues \u2014 within Tennessee county-government law.\n- Budget literacy: the commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes multi-year bond issues.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; committee work that pre-screens items.\n- Constituent relations in the district \u2014 case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Commissioner","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":2,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-19","title":"jefferson County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://jeffersoncountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/JCTN_August-6-2026-Sample-Ballot.pdf"},"title":"County Commissioner District 1"}