{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"JORGE L. PADRO JR.","chatgptsummary":"Jorge Padro Jr.'s biography shows incumbent status and military leadership relevant to policy judgment and constituent relations. He served as a U.S. Army major and platoon leader, demonstrating command experience. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate specific budget literacy or legislative drafting experience.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJorge Padro Jr. is the incumbent Montgomery County Commissioner for District 9 and the Republican candidate for re-election in the Aug. 6, 2026 election, facing Democrat Lekeshia Hicks [1][2]. His campaign emphasizes school safety, including random vehicle inspections on school grounds and zero tolerance for drug distribution [1].\n\n## Background and career\nPadro is a retired U.S. Army major [1]. He served four years as a veterinary technician at Fort Campbell, then commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Tennessee National Guard/Tennessee Training Academy, serving as an M1 Abrams platoon leader at Fort Knox and a medical platoon leader at Fort Riley [1].\n\n## Family\nPadro and his wife raised three children, all Northeast High School graduates, who went on to Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Jorge Padro running for re-election to County Commission, District 9](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/jorge-padro-running-for-re-election-to-county-commission-district-9/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Who\u2019s on ballot for Montgomery County mayor, sheriff, commission, School Board](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/whos-on-ballot-for-montgomery-county-mayor-sheriff-commission-school-board/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"JORGE","lastname":"JR.","middlename":"L. PADRO","suffix":null,"token":"tjabwFayOO"},"token":"jorge_l_padro_jr"},{"candidatename":"LEKESHIA A. HICKS","chatgptsummary":"Lekeshia Hicks's biography shows relevant experience in managing budgets and personnel as a retired Army major, alongside leadership roles in workforce policy and business development. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate specific experience with Tennessee county-government law or the legislative process of drafting ordinances.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nLekeshia Angelique Hicks is the Democratic candidate for Montgomery County Commission District 9 in the Aug. 6, 2026 election, challenging incumbent Republican Jorge Padro Jr. [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\nHicks is a retired U.S. Army major and a 15-year resident of Montgomery County [1]. She is completing a doctorate at Austin Peay State University, with research focused on workforce policy and education systems [1].\n\n## Career\nAs an Army human-resources officer, Hicks led personnel operations, managed budgets, and developed workforce systems before retiring at the rank of major [1]. She serves as vice president of training and development for the Black Clarksville Business Group and is founder of Lekeshia Angelique Consulting [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Lekeshia Hicks running for Montgomery County Commission, District 9](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/lekeshia-hicks-running-for-montgomery-county-commission-district-9/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Who\u2019s on ballot for Montgomery County mayor, sheriff, commission, School Board](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/whos-on-ballot-for-montgomery-county-mayor-sheriff-commission-school-board/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"LEKESHIA","lastname":"HICKS","middlename":"A.","suffix":null,"token":"KZ34SNeRCw"},"token":"lekeshia_a_hicks"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":null,"office":"county_commission_district_9","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":"montgomery County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://montgomerytn.gov/storage/departments/election/Legal%20%233%20-%20Sample%20Ballot%20AUG%202026.pdf"},"title":"County Commission District 9"}