{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"JOHNNY J. SKELTON","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"JOHNNY","lastname":"SKELTON","middlename":"J.","suffix":null,"token":"ehqxpjQyes"},"token":"johnny_j_skelton"},{"candidatename":"JOHN H. CARROLL","chatgptsummary":"John H. Carroll's biography shows three terms as Perry County mayor, indicating executive management experience and familiarity with Tennessee county law. He leads the Industrial Board, suggesting intergovernmental capacity and public communication skills. The record does not indicate specific budget defense experience or crisis-management experience. Bio does not indicate federal agency coordination experience.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJohn H. Carroll is the incumbent mayor of Perry County, Tennessee, and is running for re-election as an Independent in the August 6, 2026 county general election.[1][2] The mayor's office is located at 121 E. Main Street in Linden.[2]\n\n## Background and education\nCarroll holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, according to his official county biography.[1] He is involved with the Linden Church of Christ.[1]\n\n## Career\nIn addition to serving full-time as county mayor, Carroll \"provides legal services to the community,\" according to his official county biography.[1]\n\n## Office history\nCarroll has been elected to three terms as Perry County mayor.[1] He is listed as the sitting county mayor in the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) official directory.[2]\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nAs mayor, Carroll leads the Perry County Industrial Board and, per his official county biography, has focused on supporting job growth, improving infrastructure, and expanding education and training opportunities for county residents.[1]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [County Mayor - Perry County, Tennessee](https://perrycountygov.com/mayor/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [John Carroll, County Mayor - UT County Technical Assistance Service](https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/official/john-carroll) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"JOHN","lastname":"CARROLL","middlename":"H.","suffix":null,"token":"Yj9EGFeNAB"},"token":"john_h_carroll"},{"candidatename":"CHRISTIAN SINGLETON","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"CHRISTIAN","lastname":"SINGLETON","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"rQRGRRDwTo"},"token":"christian_singleton"},{"candidatename":"DON R BATES","chatgptsummary":"Don R. Bates's biography shows service as Vice Chairman of the Perry County Emergency Communications District and a role listed as Chief in the county directory, indicating experience with emergency management and local government operations. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience managing a full county budget or familiarity with Tennessee county-government law.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDon R. Bates is an Independent candidate for Perry County mayor in the August 6, 2026 county general election.\n\n## Career\nBates is recorded as Vice Chairman of the Perry County Emergency Communications District \u2014 the county's 911 board \u2014 in the district's audited financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.[1] The Perry County government directory separately lists a Don Bates with the title \"Chief,\" based at 140 West School Street in Linden.[2]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Perry County Emergency Communications District, FY2023 Audit - Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury](https://comptroller.tn.gov/content/dam/cot/la/advanced-search/2023/emergency-communication-district/6503-2023-cn-perrye911-rpt-cpa517-9-13-23.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [County Government Directory - Perry County, Tennessee](https://gov.perrycountytn.com/government-directory) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"DON","lastname":"BATES","middlename":"R","suffix":null,"token":"QN6GXLjL9s"},"token":"don_r_bates"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_mayor","o.office":null,"office":"county_mayor","officedescription":"The county mayor (county executive in some counties) is the county's chief executive and administrative officer. The mayor prepares the annual budget for the county commission, oversees the daily operation of county departments, and represents the county in intergovernmental dealings. It is an administrative office: the commission sets policy, the mayor runs the operation.","officequalities":"- Executive management of county government across departments such as roads, finance, planning, and emergency management.\n- Ability to prepare and defend an annual budget before the county commission.\n- Intergovernmental capacity: coordinating with the municipalities within the county, the State of Tennessee, and federal agencies.\n- Working familiarity with Tennessee county-government law, the county charter where one exists, and open-meetings and procurement rules.\n- Public-facing communication and, when needed, crisis-management skills.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Mayor","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-21","title":"Perry County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://tnsos.org/elections/ballots/757.pdf"},"title":"County Mayor"}