{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"BILL TOLLETT","chatgptsummary":"Bill Tollett's biography shows over thirty years of community service and experience as a school principal and current Eagleville Vice Mayor, demonstrating familiarity with local governance and constituent relations. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience in county budgeting, bond issuance, or state-mandated continuing education.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nWilliam \"Bill\" Tollett is the Republican nominee for Rutherford County Commission District 8 on the August 6, 2026 county general ballot, where he faces Democrat Jennifer Burke.[1][2] He entered the race to succeed retiring Commissioner Pettus Read and won the Republican primary over John Gaessler.[2][3] His stated campaign priorities are education, infrastructure, and \"smart strategic development that preserves the character of local communities while addressing future needs.\"[3]\n\n## Background and education\nTollett is a lifelong resident of the Eagleville area with more than 30 years of service to the Eagleville and Rutherford County communities.[3]\n\n## Career\nTollett began his career in 1989 as a teacher at Eagleville School and later served there as a coach and as principal.[3]\n\n## Office history\nTollett serves as Vice Mayor of Eagleville and has been a member of the Eagleville City Council.[3]\n\n## Family\nTollett and his wife, Cathy, have two children, both of whom work as educators and coaches in Rutherford County Schools.[3]\n\n## Sources\n[1] [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[2] [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[3] [Eagleville Vice Mayor Bill Tollett Announces Bid for Rutherford County Commission - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/93700/eagleville-vice-mayor-bill-tollett-announces-bid-for-rutherford-county-commission) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"BILL","lastname":"TOLLETT","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"x0JvnxJBSb"},"token":"bill_tollett"},{"candidatename":"JENNIFER BURKE","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"JENNIFER","lastname":"BURKE","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"ha3HFcAdim"},"token":"jennifer_burke"}],"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":"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 09"}