{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Brad Batt","chatgptsummary":"Brad Batt's biography shows a background as a small business owner and entrepreneur with no prior elected or appointed office. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience in intra-party governance, knowledge of party rules, or coordination with county-level committees.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nBrad Batt is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 6 in the 2026 cycle [1]. The district encompasses parts of upper East Tennessee, including Johnson City, Fall Branch, Gray, Oak Grove, Spurgeon, and Watauga [3]. Batt, who identifies as a small business owner and entrepreneur, is seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Tim Hicks, who is running for a third term in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026 [1], [5], [7].\n\nBatt first announced his candidacy for District 6 in October 2019 [3]. In the lead-up to the 2026 primary, he held a rally in Johnson City to outline his platform, which includes breaking up Ballad Health, protecting public schools, and ending child poverty [6]. Batt has stated that healthcare is a top concern for voters in the district [2]. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026, before facing Hicks in the general election [5].\n\n## Background and education\n\nBrad Batt is a small business owner and entrepreneur who resides in Johnson City [5]. He earned a bachelor's degree from Louisiana Tech University in 1995 and a graduate degree from Regis University in 2003 [1]. Batt describes himself as a local businessman who believes that every Tennessean should have a fair opportunity to a healthy economy and lifestyle [3].\n\n## Career\n\nBatt describes himself as a local businessman and small business owner [3][5]. He states that his professional background includes working as an entrepreneur [1]. His career experience is characterized by his role in the private sector rather than prior political office [1].\n\nBatt earned a bachelor's degree from Louisiana Tech University in 1995 and a graduate degree from Regis University in 2003 [1].\n\n## Office history\n\nBrad Batt has not held any prior elected or appointed office [1]. He announced his candidacy for the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 6 in October 2019 [3]. In that cycle, he was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faced incumbent Republican Tim Hicks in the general election, but sources do not specify the outcome of that race [5][7].\n\nBatt is a candidate for Tennessee House District 6 in the 2026 Democratic primary, which is scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][4]. He is running against incumbent Republican Tim Hicks, who is seeking a third term in the general election on November 3, 2026 [7]. As of May 2026, Batt has not yet been elected to this office [8].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nBrad Batt self-describes as a small business owner and entrepreneur [5]. He identifies himself as a local businessman who believes that every Tennessean should have a fair opportunity to a healthy economy and lifestyle [3]. Batt states that his key priorities include breaking up Ballad Health, protecting public schools, and ending child poverty in Tennessee [6].\n\nSpecific details regarding his business ownership stakes, sales of businesses, or the specific source of any family wealth are not provided in the available sources. Financial disclosure facts beyond his self-reported occupation are also not included in the provided materials [1][4][8].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Brad Batt - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brad_Batt)\n[2] [District 6: Batt says healthcare is a top concern for voters | News | johnsoncitypress.com](https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/district-6-batt-says-healthcare-is-a-top-concern-for-voters/article_5945a0c4-bf28-11ea-aa0a-abe72afdd6fd.html)\n[3] [Brad Batt announces run for Tennessee House District \ufeff](https://demcastusa.com/2019/10/29/brad-batt-announces-run-for-tennessee-house-district-%EF%BB%BF/)\n[4] [Brad Batt | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/tn/tennessee-tennessee-house-of-representatives-district-6/brad-batt)\n[5] [State House District 6 Q and A: Brad Batt | WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather](https://www.wjhl.com/news/your-local-election-hq/state-house-district-6-q-and-a-brad-batt/amp/)\n[6] [Democratic Tennessee House candidate Brad Batt holds rally](https://www.yahoo.com/news/democratic-tennessee-house-candidate-brad-031548082.html)\n[7] [Beyond the Podium: Tennessee House 6th district race](https://wcyb.com/news/local/beyond-the-podium-tennessee-house-6th-district-race)\n[8] [Brad Batt | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/brad-batt)","firstname":"Brad","lastname":"Batt","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"RCE3Njpabv"},"token":"brad_batt"},{"candidatename":"Todd Fowler","chatgptsummary":"Todd Fowler's biography shows relevant experience as a Johnson City commissioner and former mayor, demonstrating familiarity with local governance structures and party affiliation through his Republican candidacy for the State Executive Committee. He also served on a federal advocacy committee, indicating coordination skills with external organizations. Bio does not indicate specific experience in intra-party governance rules or ballot-access requirements.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nTodd Fowler serves as a commissioner for Johnson City [4]. In 2026, he is seeking reelection to the Johnson City Commission as a Republican candidate [3]. Fowler qualified for the ballot by meeting the March 10, 2026, deadline set by the Tennessee Secretary of State [1].\n\nFowler has promoted his candidacy through the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, where he discussed his reasons for running and issues he intends to address in the community [3]. He is currently listed on the official candidate lists for the Republican Party in Tennessee [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nTodd Fowler is a resident of Johnson City, Tennessee [4]. He serves as a commissioner for the city and previously held the office of mayor [2][5]. In 2026, he qualified as a candidate for the Republican State Executive Committee, District 3, in the primary election [1].\n\nSpecific details regarding Fowler\u2019s birth year, place of birth, upbringing, religious affiliation, or formal educational background are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Career\n\nTodd Fowler serves as a commissioner for Johnson City, where he can be contacted at 601 East Main Street or via email at tfowler@johnsoncitytn.org [4]. In this capacity, he has participated in civic duties such as presenting the retired Johnson City flag to the family of its designer, Frank Leroy Knisley, Jr. [2].\n\nIn February 2024, Fowler was appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 Human Development Federal Advoc Committee for a one-year term [5]. In this role, he provides strategic direction on policy priorities including workforce development, education, early childhood care, public health care, mental health parity, and immigration reform [5].\n\nFowler previously won a seat on the Johnson City Commission in an election where he received 11,470 votes [6]. He was subsequently sworn into office alongside incumbent commissioners and commissioner-elect Aaron T. Murphy during a virtual inaugural ceremony held on December 7 [7].\n\n## Office history\n\nTodd Fowler was elected to the Johnson City Commission in a race where he received 11,470 votes [6]. He was sworn into office alongside incumbent commissioners and commissioner-elect Aaron T. Murphy on December 7 [7]. As a commissioner, he serves as a representative for the city, with contact information listed at 601 East Main Street, P.O. Box 2150, Johnson City, TN 37605-2150 [4].\n\nFowler was elected Mayor of Johnson City and served in that capacity alongside Commissioner Jenny Brock [2]. In February 2024, Mayor Fowler was appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 Human Development Federal Advoc Committee for a one-year term [5]. In this role, he provided strategic direction on federal advocacy priorities including workforce development, education, and public health care [5].\n\nFowler has sought reelection to the Johnson City Commission, stating his desire to continue addressing community issues [3]. He is currently a candidate for Johnson City City Commission in the 2026 election cycle [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n[2] [Mayor Todd Fowler and Commissioner Jenny Brock ...](https://www.facebook.com/CoJCTN/posts/mayor-todd-fowler-and-commissioner-jenny-brock-presented-the-retired-johnson-cit/530257812546966/)\n[3] [\ud83d\uddf3\ufe0fMeet The Candidates\ud83d\uddf3\ufe0f Meet Todd Fowler, candidate for ...](https://www.facebook.com/JohnsonCityChamber/videos/%EF%B8%8Fmeet-the-candidates%EF%B8%8Fmeet-todd-fowler-candidate-for-johnson-city-city-commission/538209878623645/)\n[4] [| Todd Fowler | MTAS - Serving Tennessee City Officials](https://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/official/todd-fowler)\n[5] [Johnson City Mayor Todd Fowler appointed to NLC Human Development Federal Advocacy Committee | Tennessee Town & City - Tennessee Municipal League](https://ttc.tml1.org/2024/02/07/johnson-city-mayor-todd-fowler-appointed-nlc-human-development-federal-advocacy)\n[6] [Fowler, Cox, Wise win in close Johnson City Commission race](https://wcyb.com/news/local/fowler-cox-wise-win-in-johnson-city-commission-race-results-show)\n[7] [Tri-Cities Topic Todd fowler | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News](https://wcyb.com/topic/todd%20fowler)","firstname":"Todd","lastname":"Fowler","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"KCPJtUjofN"},"token":"todd_fowler"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"party_exec_committee","o.office":null,"office":"tn_exec_committeeman_3","officedescription":"The State Executive Committee is the elected governing body of a Tennessee political party (Democratic or Republican). It is a party-organization office, not a government office \u2014 its members set party rules and organization, and are chosen by voters in that party's primary.","officequalities":"- Intra-party governance: the State Executive Committee is the elected governing body of a Tennessee political party, not a public office that legislates or administers government.\n- Working knowledge of party rules, conventions, ballot-access requirements, and how the party interacts with state election law.\n- Coordination with the party chair and county-level party committees.\n- This is a partisan party-organization role; voters in the party's primary choose the committee members. The qualities here describe party-organization fit, not government competency.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"State Executive Committee","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":null,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"TN State Executive Committeeman District 3"}