{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Shelia L. Godwin","chatgptsummary":"Shelia L. Godwin's biography documents repeated campaigns for state legislative seats and Congress, demonstrating familiarity with Tennessee election processes and constituent engagement. The record shows no disciplinary history or controversies. Bio does not indicate experience in county budgeting, land use policy, or intergovernmental relations required for the County Commissioner role.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nShelia L. Godwin is a Democratic candidate on the August 6, 2026 Madison County ballot. County election-commission filings list her as a candidate for County Commission District 5 (Position 1) in the county general election and, separately, in the Democratic primary for Tennessee House District 80.[1][2]\n\n## Office history and prior campaigns\nGodwin has sought office in West Tennessee multiple times. Per WREG's 2026 election guide, she was among the Democratic candidates for the state House District 80 seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Johnny Shaw, having previously challenged Shaw in the Democratic primary; she has also run for Tennessee House District 73 and for Congress in the 8th District.[2]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Madison County August 6, 2026 petition candidate list \u2014 Madison County Election Commission](https://madisoncountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17463/Petition-Candidate-List-August-2026) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Election Guide for Aug. 6, 2026 \u2014 WREG](https://wreg.com/news/your-local-election-headquarters/election-guide-for-aug-6-2026/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"Shelia","lastname":"Godwin","middlename":"L.","suffix":null,"token":"cyUeLoup6t"},"token":"shelia_l_godwin"},{"candidatename":"Winnette B. Bobo","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"Winnette","lastname":"Bobo","middlename":"B.","suffix":null,"token":"MVQCuqpVNg"},"token":"winnette_b_bobo"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":null,"office":"county_commission_district_5","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":1,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-19","title":"madison County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://madisoncountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18013"},"title":"County Commissioner District 5, Position 1"}