{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"MICHAEL KUSCH","chatgptsummary":"Michael Kusch's biography shows over a decade of service on the Rutherford County Commission, including membership on legislative and planning committees relevant to budget and land use decisions. He also holds business leadership roles with the local Chamber of Commerce and Regional Planning Commission. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience in state-mandated continuing education or multi-year bond issuance management.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMichael Kusch is the incumbent Republican member of the Rutherford County Commission representing District 7, a seat he has held since September 2014; his current term is set to expire in August 2026.[1] He is seeking re-election on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot against Democrat Catie Beth Thomas.[2][3]\n\n## Career\nKusch is a businessman who has served on the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce executive committee and as chairman of the Chamber's Rutherford County Economic Development Council.[4] He was named among the Nashville Business Journal's 2014 Rutherford County Impact Award winners.[4] He has also served as a member of the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission.[1][4]\n\n## Office history\nKusch has represented District 7 on the Rutherford County Commission since September 2014.[1] He serves on the commission's Planning Commission, Public Works & Planning Committee, and Steering, Legislative & Governmental Committee.[1]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [District 7 Commissioner - Michael Kusch, Rutherford County, TN](https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/?SEC=%7BF05CA247-AFD2-4BED-9D90-094EED4BDF00%7D&Type=B_LIST) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [August 6, 2026 General Election Candidate List, Rutherford County, TN](https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/uploads/dm/79794/August_6_General_Election_Candidate_list.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Election Deadline: Who Qualified for 2026 RuCo Primary - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/97847/election-deadline-who-qualified-for-2026-ruco-primary) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[4] [Rutherford County Commission Race Grows - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/15526/rutherford-county-commission-race-grows-) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"MICHAEL","lastname":"KUSCH","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"Nir6drBoWm"},"token":"michael_kusch"},{"candidatename":"CATIE BETH THOMAS","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"CATIE","lastname":"THOMAS","middlename":"BETH","suffix":null,"token":"Tl7iAruWVs"},"token":"catie_beth_thomas"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":null,"office":"county_commission_district_7","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":"rutherford County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/uploads/dm/79850/Sample_Ballot_Rutherford_County_General_Aug_2026.pdf"},"title":"County Commission District 07"}