{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"PHIL BARNES","chatgptsummary":"Phil Barnes currently serves as a Democratic candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives, demonstrating familiarity with state legislative processes and constituent relations within Trousdale and Sumner Counties. The biography documents no controversies or disciplinary records. Bio does not indicate experience in county budget approval, property tax rate setting, or land use policy judgment required for County Commissioner duties.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nPhil Barnes, of Hendersonville, is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 35, which covers all of Trousdale County and part of Sumner County [1]. He filed the required signatures (2 of 2) by the March 10, 2026 qualifying deadline, and the Tennessee Secretary of State's office listed his signatures as approved in the March 24, 2026 candidate list [1]. The incumbent, Republican William Slater of Gallatin, and fellow Democrat Lance C. Loftis of Gallatin are also on the ballot for this seat [1]. The Democratic primary is scheduled for August 6, 2026, with the general election on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Candidates for Tennessee House of Representatives](https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/TNHouse_2026.pdf) \u2014 District 35, p.9, accessed 2026-07-20","firstname":"Phil","lastname":"Barnes","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"6LLXKzr7dk"},"token":"phil_barnes"},{"candidatename":"MATTHEW LADD SHOAF","chatgptsummary":"Matthew Ladd Shoaf's biography shows incumbent status as a Sumner County Commissioner since 2022, demonstrating familiarity with local legislative processes and constituent relations. He identifies as an experienced business leader and US Army veteran, suggesting relevant policy judgment skills for budget and land use matters. No controversies or disciplinary records appear in the provided text. Bio does not indicate specific 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\nMatthew Ladd Shoaf is the incumbent Sumner County Commissioner for District 22 (Hendersonville) and the Republican Party nominee seeking re-election on the August 6, 2026 ballot, facing Democrat Phil Barnes [1][2]. His campaign, \"Responsible Growth \u2014 Responsible Government,\" emphasizes infrastructure planning and fiscal responsibility for the county [2][3].\n\n## Background\nShoaf describes himself as \"a husband, father, US Army veteran, experienced business leader, and long-time Tennessee citizen and community member\" [2].\n\n## Office history\nHe was elected to the District 22 commission seat in 2022 [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Federal and State Primary, State Judicial and Sumner County General Elections Sample Ballot](https://www.votesumnertn.org/uploads/files/884379eec0cf6e5fb6f5678acff70a3783bde79d.pdf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Matthew L. Shoaf \u2014 BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/matthew-l-shoaf) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[3] [Shoaf for Sumner: The Plan \u2014 responsiblesumner.com](https://www.responsiblesumner.com) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"MATTHEW","lastname":"SHOAF","middlename":"LADD","suffix":null,"token":"UXTn3N6DSt"},"token":"matthew_ladd_shoaf"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":null,"office":"county_commission_district_22","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":"sumner County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://www.votesumnertn.org/uploads/files/b131fe1092a6465a92a366ccaf28782e09dcabe8.pdf"},"title":"County Commission District 22"}