{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Dennis Chambers","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":null,"firstname":"Dennis","lastname":"Chambers","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"4opZJw96xs"},"token":"dennis_chambers"},{"candidatename":"Kris Lewallen","chatgptsummary":"Kris Lewallen's biography shows relevant law-enforcement experience as a narcotics investigator and training officer with the Fentress County Sheriff's Office, alongside prior work as a drug agent in Scott County and recent certification as a TASER 10 instructor. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience managing a full sheriff's office budget or direct oversight of county jail operations.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nKris Lewallen is an independent candidate for Scott County sheriff in the August 6, 2026 general election, challenging Republican incumbent Brian Keeton and fellow independent Dennis Chambers [1]. At a July 2026 candidate forum, which he was the only sheriff candidate to attend, Lewallen said he would aggressively pursue additional grant funding for the department while emphasizing professionalism, accountability, and respect for every citizen [2].\n\n## Career\nLewallen is a narcotics investigator and training officer with the Fentress County Sheriff's Office [3]. He previously worked as a drug agent in Scott County under former sheriff Ronnie Phillips, and in April 2026 he completed TASER 10 instructor certification [3][4].\n\n## Further candidate material (not accessible for this profile)\n- [Elect Kris Lewallen for Sheriff of Scott County, TN (Facebook)](https://www.facebook.com/Lewallen4ScottCoSheriff/) (campaign page; may require login for full content)\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] [County Hears from Candidates - Scott County News](https://scnoneida.net/2026/07/21/county-hears-from-candidates/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [Fentress County Narcotics Investigator Kris Lewallen Completes TASER 10 Instructor Certification - 102.5 WOW Country](https://1025wowcountry.com/2026/04/30/fentress-county-narcotics-investigator-and-training-officer-kris-lewallen-completes-taser-10-instructor-certification-training/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[4] [Scott County Sheriff's Department seeking 54 in drug roundup - WATE](https://www.wate.com/news/scott-county-sheriffs-department-seeking-54-in-drug-roundup/) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"Kris","lastname":"Lewallen","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"QZFxqQLdnz"},"token":"kris_lewallen"},{"candidatename":"Brian Keeton","chatgptsummary":"Brian Keeton's biography shows relevant experience as a current sheriff and former chief of police, demonstrating organizational leadership and law-enforcement background. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate specific experience developing operating budgets or coordinating with neighboring-county agencies.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nBrian Keeton is the sheriff of Scott County, elected in August 2022, and is seeking re-election in the August 6, 2026 general election [1][2]. He won the May 2026 Republican primary, defeating former sheriff Ronnie Phillips 54.3% to 45.1%, and faces independents Dennis Chambers and Kris Lewallen in the general [2][3].\n\n## Career\nKeeton began his law enforcement career as a school resource officer with the Scott County Sheriff's Office and later served as chief of police in Caryville, Tennessee, before being elected sheriff [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Sheriffs of Scott County - The Encyclopedia of Scott County](https://ihoneida.com/knowledge-base/sheriffs-of-scott-county/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[2] [Keeton wins Sheriff Primary - Scott County News](https://scnoneida.net/2026/05/12/keeton-wins-sheriff-primary/) - accessed 2026-07-23\n[3] [2026 Scott County General Election - The Encyclopedia of Scott County](https://ihoneida.com/knowledge-base/2026-scott-county-general-election/) - accessed 2026-07-23","firstname":"Brian","lastname":"Keeton","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"SPCSPEMRlG"},"token":"brian_keeton"}],"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":"2026-07-22","title":"Scott County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://www.votescotttn.gov/voter-information"},"title":"Sheriff"}