{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"RICKY B. DODSON","chatgptsummary":"Ricky B. Dodson's biography shows incumbent experience with policy judgment, budget literacy regarding raises and capital projects, and constituent relations through community engagement. He has completed state-required training by earning two Tennessee School Boards Association standards levels. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate specific experience in hiring or evaluating a superintendent.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nRicky B. Dodson is the incumbent Overton County School Board member for District 4 and the Republican nominee seeking re-election on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot, having run in the May 5, 2026 primary [1][2]. He says he \"will continue to strive to make decisions that will be in the best interest of Overton County students and schools\" [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nDuring his tenure on the Board of Education, Dodson says he \"worked diligently to help secure many accomplishments,\" citing teacher and paraprofessional raises, health insurance, school nurses, School Resource Officers in every school, and an ongoing building program [1]. He was recognized by the Tennessee School Boards Association for achieving two levels of boardsmanship standards in the past year [1].\n\n## Family\nDodson is married to Paige Dodson, whom he credits for her \"enduring support during my term of serving on the Board of Education\" [1]. He is the father of 2026 Overton County Executive candidate Austin Dodson [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Ricky Dodson seeks re-election as School Board Member - Overton County News](https://www.overtoncountynews.com/news/local_state/ricky-dodson-seeks-re-election-as-school-board-member/article_32a39f24-e7ae-4d33-bee7-f9f6e2b568e4.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Overton County August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot (PDF)](https://overtonvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/TNOVEPG6_SampleInfinityBallot.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"RICKY","lastname":"DODSON","middlename":"B.","suffix":null,"token":"P3BtNPGoo4"},"token":"ricky_b_dodson"},{"candidatename":"JIM NELSON, JR.","chatgptsummary":"Dr. Jim Nelson Jr.'s biography shows six years of active duty service and extensive continuing education, suggesting discipline and a commitment to learning relevant to policy judgment and constituent relations. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience in school budget literacy or the specific authority to hire and evaluate a superintendent.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDr. Jim Nelson Jr. is an independent candidate for Overton County School Board, District 4 (Rickman), on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot [1][2]. He argues that \"the position of a school board member should not be influenced by a political party\" and that board decisions \"should...be made in the best interest of the students, guided by Christian values\" [1]. If elected he pledges to \"strengthen the quality of education that our children are receiving, and to support and help retain the excellent teachers and auxiliary staff\" [1].\n\n## Background and education\nNelson is a licensed physician who states, \"I have completed 11 years of formal education since graduation from high school,\" in addition to \"countless hours of continuing education credits\" [1].\n\n## Career\nHe is a practicing physician and an honorably discharged U.S. Navy veteran who \"proudly served 6 years active duty in the United States Navy\" [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Jim Nelson seeks election as School Board Member - Overton County News](https://www.overtoncountynews.com/news/local_state/jim-nelson-seeks-election-as-school-board-member/article_4b243855-862d-4cd1-a572-d14b4f019cd2.html) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Overton County August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot (PDF)](https://overtonvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/TNOVEPG6_SampleInfinityBallot.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"JIM","lastname":"JR.","middlename":"NELSON,","suffix":null,"token":"ii6Z2uITws"},"token":"jim_nelson_jr"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"school_board","o.office":null,"office":"county_school_board_district_4","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":"School Board Member","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-20","title":"overton County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://overtonvotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/TNOVEPG6_SampleInfinityBallot.pdf"},"title":"School Board District 4"}