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The 2026 election cycle heated up as the calendar turned from 2025 to 2026, with additional candidates for county offices making official announcements around the New Year.

In Hawkins County, the offices of Mayor, Sheriff, Clerk of Court, County Court, Register of Deeds, Superintendent of Roads, and the 14 seats on the Board of Commissioners will be on the ballot for the May 5 primary election. Applicants filing to participate in the primary must qualify for the ballot no later than Thursday, Feb. 19 at noon.

Six vying for Sheriff’s office

The county sheriff’s race has drawn much attention and a wide field of candidates. Longtime Sheriff Ronnie Lawson is retiring at the end of his term after 16 years in office. He announced in September that he would not seek another term.

As of press time for this issue, six candidates have filed petitions for the sheriff’s primary. Two are current HCSO deputies, Chief Deputy Tony Allen and Detective Chad Britton, who is also a sitting county commissioner but not running for re-election. Former HCSO deputy Scott Stewart, now on the Third Judicial District Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, declared his candidacy Nov. 18. State Trooper David Good announced his candidacy in early December, and Roddy Miller, a Church Hill Police officer, formally declared his candidacy in an email to the Review on New Year’s Day, although he was already known to be a candidate. The wild card in the race is the lone female candidate, Karesa G. Floyd Charles of Surgoinsville, a retired logistics officer in the US Army, whose LinkedIn profile describes herself as a cybersecurity cerfified associate.

In his statement to the media, Miller states that he has been an officer of the Church Hill Police since 1991 and Assistant Chief since 1997.

“I have considered running for sheriff multiple times throughout my career. It has been a goal of mine for several years that I have quietly been working toward,” Miller stated. “However, there was an event that convinced me now is the time to pursue that dream. Hawkins County is in need of a change in leadership.”

He alleges that Allen has acted unprofessionally toward him in the past and that litigation on those issues is pending. He also promised to serve the public diligently if elected.

“I will bring back public trust in police. You can always ask me questions,” he said. “I will not hide in an office from 8-4. I will work nights or weekends or whatever it takes to change the way things have become in Hawkins County.”

Good also issued a public statement shortly after the New Year, on Jan. 3. Good stressed that he has no connection to the HCSO, and stated that he believed this made him a better candidate, as it would allow him “to bring an independent perspective, fresh ideas, and unbiased leadership.” He stated that his loyalty is to the people of Hawkins County, and “not internal politics or the status quo.” He pledged that if elected, the HCSO would be transparent.

Four candidates for Mayor

Incumbent Hawkins County Mayor Mark DeWitte made it clear in public statements last year, including columns in the Review, that he would seek a second term. To date, DeWitte has three challengers. Two are other local office-holders: Church Hill alderman Keith Gibson and County Commissioner Syble Vaughan Trent, a resident of the Hawkins County portion of Kingsport who has long been active in politics, and is also seeking re-election as Commissioner if not elected Mayor. The other is local businessman David Linkous, a frequent visitor and commenter at Commissioners’ meetings.

Other offices

At the present time, candidates Cindy Rutledge (County Clerk), Judy Kirkpatrick (Register of Deeds), Randall Collier (Clerk of Court), and Jim Shanks (Trustee) are running unopposed for their offices. All but Rutledge, the current deputy clerk, are incumbents. Current County Clerk Nancy Davis, in office since 2014, has not filed.

The Road Superintendent position is being contested. Incumbent Danny Jones is being challenged by Church Hill Public Works Director Jason Light.

Commissioners

Of the incumbent 14 commissioners, two in each of seven districts, not all are currently seeking re-election, although they have weeks left to decide. The wild card here is two members of the United Citizens of Hawkins County watchdog group seeking office — Codie Pate in District 2 and Dane Chisholm in District 6.

Incumbents Trent (District 1), Jeff Barrett (District 2), Josh Gilliam (District 4), and Bobby Jinks and Robbie Palmer (District 7) have already filed their petitions to seek another term.

Several challengers are seeking to either replace retiring commissioners or unseat them.

Steve Armstrong of the Hawkins County EMS is challenging for a District 2 seat alone with Pate. Political newcomers Matthew Williams and Rogersville Housing Director Rodney Roberson, and former Commissioner Sgt. Stacy Vaughan of the HCSO, are challengers in District 3. Current Surgoinsville Alderman Warren Bishop is a challenger in District 4. Chisholm and Edwin Cope, both challengers, are presently the only District 6 candidates in the race.

No one as of press time had filed seeking a seat in District 5.

Those wishing to vote in the primary must register by Monday, April 6. Early voting takes place from April 15-30.

The general election for county offices takes place on the same date as the primaries for statewide offices, Thursday, Aug. 6. However, most if not all offices will be effectively decided at the May primary, since all currently declared candidates in the county are running as Republicans.