{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Ralph Trieschmann","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"Ralph","lastname":"Trieschmann","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"JXLyW9hiRC"},"token":"ralph_trieschmann"},{"candidatename":"Zack Strunk","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"Zack","lastname":"Strunk","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"300Q8NLiSt"},"token":"zack_strunk"},{"candidatename":"Kelly Posey-Chitwood","chatgptsummary":"Kelly Posey-Chitwood's biography shows relevant experience as a Scott County Commissioner since 2022, serving on Intergovernmental and Community Development committees, which aligns with legislative process and constituent relations demands. Her background as a former school principal and district health director demonstrates policy judgment and budget literacy applicable to countywide matters. Bio does not indicate prior experience managing multi-year bond issues or completing state-required continuing education through UT CTAS.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nKelly Posey-Chitwood is a Republican member of the Scott County Commission for the 5th District, seeking re-election on August 6, 2026 [1][2]. The 5th District elects two commissioners; Posey-Chitwood is on the ballot with independents Zack Strunk and Ralph Trieschmann, with one seat open after incumbent Robyn McBroom chose not to run [1].\n\n## Career\nIn June 2026 Posey-Chitwood - a former principal at Oneida Middle School and the Oneida Special School District's director of coordinated school health and safety - was named interim director of schools for the Oneida Special School District after Dr. Jeanny Phillips stepped down following ten years leading the district [3].\n\n## Office history\nShe has served on the county commission since 2022, sitting on the Intergovernmental and Community Development committees [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [2026 Scott County General Election - The Encyclopedia of Scott County](https://ihoneida.com/knowledge-base/2026-scott-county-general-election/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Commissioner Kelly Posey-Chitwood - Scott County, TN](http://scottcounty.com/government/board-of-county-commissioners/commissioner-kelly-posey-chitwood/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Phillips Steps Down as Oneida Director of Schools - Scott County News](https://scnoneida.net/2026/06/23/phillips-steps-down-as-oneida-director-of-schools/) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"Kelly","lastname":"Posey-Chitwood","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"8XEF9f7mkB"},"token":"kelly_posey_chitwood"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":null,"office":"county_commission_district_5","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":2,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-22","title":"Scott County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://www.votescotttn.gov/voter-information"},"title":"County Commissioner District 5"}