2026 Tennessee county mayoral elections

2026 Tennessee county mayoral elections

August 6, 2026

94 of 95[a] counties of Tennessee
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Party Republican Independent Democratic
Seats before 58 32[c] 5

Mayors by party
     Republican      Independent/nonpartisan      Democratic      No election

2026 Tennessee county mayoral elections will be held on August 6, 2026, to determine the mayor (or county executive) of 94 of the 95 counties[1] in the state, including several of the most populous; Shelby, Knox, Hamilton, Rutherford, Montgomery, and Williamson County.[2] Local county primary elections will be held on May 5, 2026.[3][d] The general elections for county mayor will be held concurrently with primary elections for various state offices, including the gubernatorial and senatorial primaries.[4]

Davidson County holds its metropolitan mayoral election in odd-numbered years (next scheduled for 2027).[5]

Hamilton County

2026 Hamilton County mayoral election

August 6, 2026

Mayor before election

Weston Wamp
Republican

Elected mayor

TBD

The 2026 Hamilton County mayoral election will be held to determine the mayor of Hamilton County, Tennessee. Incumbent Republican mayor Weston Wamp, first elected in 2022, is running for re-election.[6]

Results

Knox County

2026 Knox County mayoral election

August 6, 2026

Mayor before election

Glenn Jacobs
Republican

Elected mayor

TBD

The 2026 Knox County mayoral election will be held to determine the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Incumbent Republican mayor Glenn Jacobs, first elected in 2018, is term limited and cannot seek a third term.[7][8][9]

Results

Montgomery County

2026 Montgomery County mayoral election
August 6, 2026

Mayor before election

Wes Golden
Republican

Elected mayor

TBD

The 2026 Montgomery County mayoral election will be held to determine the mayor of Montgomery County, Tennessee. Incumbent Republican mayor Wes Golden, first elected in 2022, can run for re-election.[10]

Republican primary

Declared

  • Wes Golden, incumbent mayor[11]

Democratic primary

Independents

  • Christine Marie McNemar[12]

Rutherford County

2026 Rutherford County mayoral election
August 6, 2026

Mayor before election

Joe Carr
Republican

Elected mayor

TBD

The 2026 Rutherford County mayoral election will be held to determine the mayor of Rutherford County, Tennessee. Incumbent Republican mayor Joe Carr, first elected in 2022, is running for re-election.[13]

Republican primary

Declared

Shelby County

2026 Shelby County mayoral election

August 6, 2026

Mayor before election

Lee Harris
Democratic

Elected mayor

TBD

The 2026 Shelby County mayoral election will be held to determine the mayor of Shelby County, Tennessee. Incumbent Democratic mayor Lee Harris, first elected in 2018, will be term limited and can not seek a third term.[16][17]

Results

Williamson County

2026 Williamson County mayoral election
August 6, 2026

Mayor before election

Rogers C. Anderson
Republican

Elected mayor

TBD

The 2026 Williamson County mayoral election will be held to determine the mayor of Williamson County, Tennessee. Incumbent Republican mayor Rogers C. Anderson, first elected in 2002, is not running for re-election.[18]

Republican primary

Declared

Other Counties (A–W)

The following 89 counties are also holding mayoral elections on August 6, 2026.[22]

Summary of 2026 Tennessee County Mayoral Elections
County Incumbent Primaries (May 5, 2026) General Election (Aug 6, 2026)
Anderson Terry Frank Republican Incumbent running.[23]
  • Terry Frank (Republican)
  • Joshua Anderson (Republican)
Bedford Chad Graham Republican Incumbent running.[24]
  • Chad Graham (Republican)
Benton Mark Ward Republican Incumbent running.[25]
  • Mark Ward (Republican)
  • Shasta Arnold (Independent)
  • Gary Furr (Independent)
  • Scott Phifer (Independent)
Bledsoe Gregg Ridley Republican
Blount Ed Mitchell Republican Incumbent running.[26]
  • Ed Mitchell (Republican)
Bradley D. Gary Davis Republican Incumbent running.[27]
  • D. Gary Davis (Republican)
  • Bradley Griffith (Republican)
Campbell Jack Lynch Independent Incumbent running.[28]
  • E.L Morton (Republican)
  • Laura Ann Ayers (Republican)
  • James A. Gross (Republican)
  • Jimmy Jeffries (Republican)
  • Jack Lynch (Independent)
  • E.L. Morton (Independent)
Cannon Greg Mitchell Independent Incumbent running.[29]
  • Jim Bush (Republican)
  • Greg Mitchell (Independent)
Carroll Joseph Butler Republican Incumbent running.
  • Joseph Butler (Republican)
Carter Patty Woodby Republican
Cheatham Kerry McCarver Republican Incumbent running.[30]
  • Kerry McCarver (Republican)
  • Bill Anderson (Republican)
Chester Barry Hutcherson Republican Incumbent running.
  • Barry Hutcherson (Republican)
Claiborne Joe Brooks Independent
Clay Dale Reagan Independent
Cocke Rob Mathis Republican
Coffee Dennis Hunt Republican Incumbent running.[31]
  • Dennis Hunt (Republican)
  • Cheryl Swan (Republican)
  • Daniel Berry (Republican)
  • Khamai Rozier (Democratic)
  • Mark Messick (Independent)
Crockett Gary Reasons Independent
Cumberland Allen Foster Republican Incumbent running.[32]
  • Allen Foster (Republican)
Decatur Hunter Miller Republican
DeKalb Matt Adcock Republican Incumbent retiring.[33]
  • Patrick R. Ray (Republican)
  • Beth Pafford (Democratic)
  • Brandon Bates (Independent)
Dickson Bob Rial Independent
Dyer Chris Young Independent
Fayette Rhea Taylor Republican
Fentress Jimmy Johnson Independent
Franklin Chris Ruffner Republican
Gibson Tom Witherspoon Republican
Giles Graham Stowe Republican
Grainger Chris G. King Republican
Greene Kevin Morrison Republican
Grundy Michael Brady Republican
Hamblen Bill Brittain Republican
Hancock Thomas Harrison Republican
Hardeman Todd Pulse Democratic
Hardin Kevin Davis Republican
Hawkins Mark DeWitte Republican
Haywood David Livingston Independent
Henderson Eddie Bray Republican
Henry John Penn Ridgeway Republican
Hickman Jim Bates Republican Incumbent running.[34]
  • Jim Bates (Republican)
  • Christopher D. Chilton (Republican)
  • Mark Dewayne Qualls (Republican)
  • Zachary Bentley (Republican)
  • Robert Atkinson (Independent)
Houston James Bridges Independent
Humphreys Jessie Wallace Independent
Jackson Jim Morgan Independent
Jefferson Mark Potts Republican Incumbent running.
  • Mark Potts (Republican)
Johnson Larry Potter Independent
Lake Danny Cook Independent
Lauderdale Maurice Gaines Republican
Lawrence David Morgan Republican
Lewis Jonah Keltner Independent
Lincoln Bill Newman Independent
Loudon Buddy Bradshaw Republican
McMinn John Gentry Republican
McNairy Larry Smith Republican
Macon Steve Jones Republican
Madison A.J. Massey Republican
Marion David Abbott Democratic
Marshall Mike Keny Independent
Maury Sheila Butt Independent
Meigs Bill James Democratic
Monroe Mitch Ingram Republican
Moore Bonnie Lewis Independent Incumbent running.[35] N/A[36]
  • Bonnie Lewis (Independent)
  • Jason N. Deal (Independent)
  • Bradley K. Dye (Independent)
  • Jayson D. Estfon (Independent)
  • Keith B. Moses (Independent)
Morgan Brian Langley Independent
Obion Steve Carr Republican
Overton Benny Dziadak Republican
Perry John Carroll Independent
Pickett Stephen Bilbrey Democratic
Polk Rob Herbree Republican
Putnam Randy Porter Republican
Rhea Jim Vincent Independent
Roane Wade Creswell Independent
Robertson Billy Vogle Independent
Scott Jerried Jeffers Independent
Sequatchie Keith Cartwright Republican
Sevier Larry Waters Republican Incumbent retiring.[37]
  • Bryan McCarter (Republican)
  • Jerry Grubb (Republican)
  • Mary Zuber (Independent)
  • Mark Francesco Mundo (Independent)
  • Krystal Lee Whaley (Independent)
Smith Jeff Mason Republican
Stewart Robert Beecham Independent
Sullivan Richard Venable Republican Incumbent running.
  • Richard Venable (Republican)
Sumner John Isbell Republican
Tipton Jeff Huffman Republican
Trousdale Stephen Chambers Independent
Unicoi Garland Evely Republican
Union Jason Bailey Independent
Van Buren David Sullivan Independent
Warren Terry Bell Republican
Washington Joe Grandy Republican
Wayne Jim Mangubat Independent
Weakley Jake Bynum Independent
White Denny Wayne Robinson Republican
Wilson Randall Hutto Republican Incumbent running.[38]
  • Randall Hutto (Republican)
  • Christina Puza-Smith (Democratic)
  • Gayle Hellemn (Independent)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Davidson County holds its metropolitan mayoral election in odd-numbered years.
  2. ^ This count includes mayors elected in partisan elections, while categorizing those elected in nonpartisan elections and those who ran as Independents as Independents.
  3. ^ In some counties, mayors may be affiliated with a political party but were elected in nonpartisan races or ran as Independents. For the purposes of the map, these officials are classified as Independents.
  4. ^ Madison County is used as an example for the source, but all counties follow the same dates.

References

  1. ^ "TN Code § 5-6-102 (2024)". JUSTIA U.S. Law.
  2. ^ "Tennessee Counties by Population (2025)". www.tennessee-demographics.com. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  3. ^ "Election Cycles | Madison County, TN - Official Website". www.madisoncountytn.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  4. ^ "Tennessee elections, 2026". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  5. ^ "County Executives and Mayors". UT County Technical Assistance Service. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
  6. ^ Sims, Madison (2025-09-02). "Hamilton Co. Mayor Weston Wamp announces re-election bid, gaining support from Sen. Marsha Blackburn". Local3News.com. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  7. ^ "Qualifications and Title-County Mayor | UT County Technical Assistance Service". www.ctas.tennessee.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  8. ^ Feinberg, Allie. "Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay is running to succeed Mayor Glenn Jacobs". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  9. ^ "Mayoral candidates build war chests for election next summer". wbir.com. 2025-07-22. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  10. ^ Williams, Casey (2022-05-04). "Election results: Wes Golden wins Montgomery County mayor's Republican primary - ClarksvilleNow.com". Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  11. ^ Smith, Chris (2025-11-28). "What's on ballot in 2026: County mayor, sheriff, judges, commission and more - ClarksvilleNow.com". Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  12. ^ a b Smith, Chris (2026-01-19). "Who's running for county mayor, sheriff, School Board? Here's the list so far - ClarksvilleNow.com". Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  13. ^ Broden, Scott. "Joe Carr wins Rutherford County mayor election over runner up Randy Allen". The Daily News Journal. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  14. ^ Broden, Scott. "Rutherford Co. Mayor Joe Carr seeks reelection in 2026 election: 'I would appreciate your vote'". The Daily News Journal. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  15. ^ "Harris Enters Rutherford County Mayor's Race, Vows Visionary Leadership and Fiscal Discipline". www.wgnsradio.com. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  16. ^ "Informed Voter – Shelby County Mayor". Memphis Public Libraries. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  17. ^ Muckerman, Brooke. "Here is who is running for Shelby County mayor in 2026 | The Week in Politics". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  18. ^ Masters, Hamilton Matthew (2025-08-01). "Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson Not Seeking Reelection in 2026". Williamson Scene. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  19. ^ Reports, Herald (2025-10-23). "Brandon Ogles announces campaign for Williamson County mayor". Williamson Herald. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
  20. ^ Masters, Hamilton Matthew (2025-10-22). "Commissioner Mary Smith Launches Bid for County Mayor". Williamson Scene. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  21. ^ Sauter, Danica (2025-10-27). "Owner of Puckett's restaurants to run for Williamson County mayor". Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  22. ^ "County Executives & Mayors". UT County Technical Assistance Service. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
  23. ^ "County election qualifying opens". The Courier News. 7 January 2026.
  24. ^ "No property tax increase in 2025-26 budget". Bedford County Government. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  25. ^ "Mark Ward announces bid for re-election". The Camden Chronicle. 20 January 2026.
  26. ^ "Ed Mitchell for Blount County Mayor". Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  27. ^ "Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis; Re-Election Campaign Interview". Mix 104.1 WCLE. 6 January 2026.
  28. ^ Wlaf1450 (2026-02-12). "So far, 70 petitions requested, 38 filed by Thu. at Election Commission". WLAF. Retrieved 2026-02-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ "Greg Mitchell for County Mayor". Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  30. ^ "Multiple local, county, state offices set to be on the ballot in 2026". Kingston Springs Gazette. 2026-01-12. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  31. ^ "Update: Who's Running for Political Office in Coffee County?". Thunder Radio. 13 January 2026.
  32. ^ "Allen Foster for Cumberland County Mayor". Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  33. ^ "County Mayor Matt Adcock will not seek re-election in 2026". WJLE Radio. 2025-09-03. Archived from the original on 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  34. ^ "Election 2026 update, last week to enter Hickman County Primary races". Main Street Media. 12 February 2026.
  35. ^ "Moore County Elections 2026". The Moore County Observer. 6 February 2026.
  36. ^ Under Tennessee Code § 2-13-208, counties with a metropolitan form of government—such as Lynchburg-Moore County—conduct mayoral elections as non-partisan municipal contests, meaning candidates do not run in party primaries and proceed directly to the general election.
  37. ^ "Sevier County voters will choose new leadership in the mayor's office after 48 years". WBIR. 28 January 2026.
  38. ^ "Petitions Filed for May 5, 2026". Wilson County Election Commission. Retrieved 12 February 2026.