{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"BRIAN WYATT","chatgptsummary":"Brian Wyatt's biography shows long-term East Tennessee residency and pastoral leadership since 2016, relevant to constituent relations. His background in computer science and web design suggests technical literacy, though his career focuses on ministry rather than public administration. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience with county budgeting, legislative drafting, or state-mandated continuing education.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nBrian Wyatt is a Democratic candidate for the Washington County Commission's 6th District seat in the county general election on August 6, 2026, running against Republican incumbent commission chairman Greg Matherly [1][2]. His campaign says \"the decisions made now will shape Washington County's future for decades,\" and centers on integrity in county decisions, accountability and fiscal responsibility, and thoughtful management of growth [1].\n\n## Background and education\nWyatt is originally from Columbia, South Carolina; East Tennessee has been home since 2002 [1]. He studied at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and later earned a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta [1].\n\n## Career\nBefore entering ministry, Wyatt worked in computer science and web design [1]. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Elizabethton since 2016 [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Rev It Up With Brian Wyatt](https://brianwyatt.org/district6) \u2014 campaign site, accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [One Vote Election Project Washington County](https://www.tndemocracynetwork.org/onevotewashington) \u2014 Tennessee Democracy Network candidate tracker, accessed 2026-07-06","firstname":"BRIAN","lastname":"WYATT","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"9ZxPQdJS2p"},"token":"brian_wyatt"},{"candidatename":"GREG MATHERLY","chatgptsummary":"Greg Matherly's eight-term tenure as Washington County Commissioner and role as Commission Chairman demonstrate direct experience with county budgeting, legislative processes, and constituent relations. His work on employee compensation and 911 funding illustrates policy judgment on services and taxes. The biography notes no controversies or disciplinary records. Bio does not indicate prior state-level continuing education experience through UT CTAS.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nGreg Matherly is a Republican incumbent serving as Commissioner for District 6 in Washington County, Tennessee [16]. He is also the Commission Chairman [16]. Matherly is running for re-election to this office in the August 6, 2026, primary election [16]. The general election for county offices will be held on November 3, 2026 [6].\n\nMatherly has served on the Washington County Commission for eight terms [16]. He chairs the Employee Compensation & Benefits committee and serves on the EMS, Ethics, and Rules committees [16]. In his capacity as Director of the Washington County 911 District, Matherly requested additional funding for dispatch staff due to a doubling of sheriff's department calls over four years and a lack of additional staffing since 1993 [23]. He cut his request for two new positions from $296,000 to $148,000 to cover peak call times [23].\n\nIn August 2026, Matherly participated in a special-called work session regarding a potential tax freeze program for seniors aged 65 and older with incomes under $45,100 [21]. He stated that any proposal would need to start in a committee [21]. Washington County commissioners have not raised taxes since 2016 [23].\n\nMatherly previously served as the TENA West Region Representative for the Tennessee Emergency Management Association (TENA) following a special election in 2018 [20].\n\n## Sources\n\n[6] [Elections Calendar | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/calendar) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-03\n[16] [Greg Matherly | Washington County, TN](https://www.washingtoncountytn.org/214/Greg-Matherly) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-03\n[20] [ECD Members | tena911](https://www.tena911.com/ecd-members) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-03\n[21] [Washington County, Tennessee commissioners hold workshop on senior tax freeze](https://wcyb.com/news/local/washington-county-tennessee-commissioners-hold-workshop-on-senior-tax-freeze) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-03\n[23] [Washington County, Tenn. faces requests for more money amid budget talks](https://wcyb.com/news/local/washington-county-tenn-faces-requests-for-more-money-amid-budget-talks) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-03\n","firstname":"GREG","lastname":"MATHERLY","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"v8vwOj2td8"},"token":"greg_matherly"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":null,"office":"county_commission_district_6","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":"2026-07-02","title":"Washington County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"http://www.wcecoffice.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Full-Sample-Ballots.pdf"},"title":"County Commissioner District 6"}