{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"EDDIE FARRIS","chatgptsummary":"Eddie Farris's biography demonstrates relevant experience for sheriff through over twenty-five years in law enforcement, including service as a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agent and leadership roles within the Putnam County Sheriff's Office since 2014. His tenure includes earning state accreditation for the office and serving as president of the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience in developing operating budgets or coordinating with municipal police departments.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nEddie Farris is the Republican Putnam County Sheriff, seeking re-election in the August 6, 2026 general election against independent challenger Darrin Stout [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\nA Putnam County native, Farris holds a degree in criminal justice and is a graduate of the FBI Academy [1].\n\n## Career\nFarris has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience and has trained with the FBI, the U.S. Justice Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol [1]. Before becoming sheriff he served as a special agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation [1].\n\n## Office history\nFarris was sworn in as Putnam County Sheriff in August 2014 [1]. He served as president of the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association in 2021-2022 [1]. Under his leadership the sheriff's office earned Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation (TLEA) in December 2017 and was re-accredited in 2021 and 2024 [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [About Our Sheriff \u2014 Putnam County Sheriff's Office](https://putnamcountytnsheriff.gov/about-our-sheriff) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Darrin Stout officially announces run against Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris (Facebook)](https://www.facebook.com/rcmatheson/posts/24847847938135138/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"EDDIE","lastname":"FARRIS","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"2rZVnCqb9D"},"token":"eddie_farris"},{"candidatename":"DARRIN STOUT","chatgptsummary":"Darrin Stout's biography shows twenty-eight years with the Cookeville Police Department, including captain-level leadership over administrative services, budgeting, internal investigations, and accreditation compliance. His background includes command of patrol and training roles in firearms and active-shooter response, demonstrating organizational oversight relevant to sheriff duties. Bio does not indicate experience managing a county jail or direct coordination with neighboring-county agencies.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDarrin Stout is an independent candidate for Putnam County Sheriff in the August 6, 2026 general election, challenging incumbent Eddie Farris [1][2]. His platform emphasizes \"proven leadership and public safety\" and the safety and security of every county resident [1].\n\n## Career\nStout has served with the Cookeville Police Department since October 1998, rising to the rank of captain [1]. His assignments have included administrative services division commander \u2014 overseeing hiring, internal investigations, contracts, outreach, budgeting, and accreditation compliance \u2014 and patrol services division commander from 2021 to 2025 [1]. As a lieutenant he served as a departmental instructor, firearms and active-shooter trainer, and special events coordinator, and as a sergeant he focused on conflict resolution, staff development, and ethics [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Darrin Stout For Sheriff \u2014 stoutforsheriff.com](https://stoutforsheriff.com/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Darrin Stout officially announces run against Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris (Facebook)](https://www.facebook.com/rcmatheson/posts/24847847938135138/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"DARRIN","lastname":"STOUT","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"UTJGVhcQFQ"},"token":"darrin_stout"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"sheriff","o.office":null,"office":"sheriff","officedescription":"The sheriff is the county's chief law-enforcement officer. The office operates the county jail, provides court security, serves civil process and executes warrants, and provides patrol and investigation \u2014 a large operational command with a substantial budget.","officequalities":"- Organizational leadership of a sheriff's office spanning patrol, investigations, court services, and the county jail.\n- Oversight of the county jail, including intake, inmate health, and release procedures.\n- Working knowledge of Tennessee criminal law, court process, and constitutional search-and-seizure standards.\n- Ability to develop and oversee the office's operating budget with public accountability.\n- Coordination with municipal police departments and neighboring-county and state agencies.\n- A documented law-enforcement or public-safety background.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"Sheriff","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-19","title":"putnam County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://putnamcountytn.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable/GEN%20ONLY%20Sample%20Ballot%208-6-2026.pdf"},"title":"Sheriff"}