Randy Allen is the only name printing: he defeated sitting Mayor Joe Carr and Commissioner Craig Harris in the May 5 Republican primary, and no Democrat or independent qualified. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was
Randy Allen · Republican▾
Chief Operations Officer of Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity and past president of the Murfreesboro Rotary Club, per the Murfreesboro Post and WGNS. Defeated incumbent Mayor Joe Carr and Commissioner Craig Harris in the May 5 Republican primary after two prior runs for the office, per WGNS. Runs unopposed on the August 6 county general ballot.
Priorities: Accountability and transparency in county government, per his campaign site · Responsible growth and wise management of taxpayer dollars, per his campaign site · Traffic, jobs and community growth, per his campaign site
Campaign site →
Open seat: Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh is retiring, per WGNS. Republican primary winner Kenneth Barrett faces two independents. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Electio
Kenneth Barrett · Republican▾
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office lieutenant with a 28-year career that began at age 20 as a detention officer, spanning patrol, narcotics, interstate crime operations and K9 units, per his campaign site. Won the May Republican primary with 52 percent over Deputy Chief Steve Spence and Trey Mansfield to succeed retiring Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh, per WGNS.
Priorities: Servant leadership, per his campaign site · Accountability, per his campaign site · Transparency within the Sheriff's Office and community, per his campaign site
Campaign site →Kevin D. Dodds · Independent▾
Independent candidate in the open-seat race to succeed retiring Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh, per the certified ballot and WGNS.
Rhett Rankin · Independent▾
Self-described lifelong Republican running on the independent ticket, per his candidate announcement in the Murfreesboro Post. Prints on the ballot as Rhett Rankin; some coverage refers to him as James Rankin.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Lisa Duke Crowell · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting Rutherford County Clerk, per the UT CTAS county directory, running unopposed for re-election.
Jeff McKinney is the only name printing: he unseated two-term incumbent Circuit Court Clerk Melissa Harrell in the May Republican primary, per WGNS. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Tot
Jeff McKinney · Republican▾
Unseated two-term incumbent Circuit Court Clerk Melissa Harrell in the May Republican primary with nearly 55 percent of the vote, per WGNS. Unopposed on the August ballot.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Heather Dawbarn · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting Rutherford County Register of Deeds, per the UT CTAS county directory, running unopposed for re-election.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Teb Batey · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting Rutherford County Trustee, per the UT CTAS county directory, running unopposed for re-election. Prints on the ballot as Teb Batey.
The sitting commissioner is the Democrat, Hope Oliver, per the county's official roster. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until
David Gammon · Republican▾
Won the May Republican primary over Jamie Knight, per WGNS qualifying and results coverage.
Hope Oliver · DemocraticIncumbent▾
Sitting District 1 county commissioner from LaVergne, per the county's official commissioner roster, seeking re-election.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Stephen Pearcy · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 2 commissioner from Lascassas, per the county's official roster, running unopposed.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Rick Hall · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 3 commissioner, appointed to the seat last year per WGNS, running unopposed for a full term.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Robert Peay Jr. · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 4 commissioner from Readyville, per the county's official roster; won a three-way May primary, per WGNS.
Will Lehew · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee challenging the incumbent, per the certified ballot.
No Republican prints; the incumbent, Laura Davidson, runs as an independent. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county
Jeff Crum · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee in this LaVergne-area district, per the certified ballot.
Laura Davidson · IndependentIncumbent▾
Sitting District 5 commissioner from LaVergne, per the county's official roster, seeking re-election as an independent.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Jonathan R. Beverly · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 6 commissioner, per the county's official roster; won the May primary over Eddie Arnold, per WGNS.
Danielle Nadeau · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee challenging the incumbent, per the certified ballot.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Michael Kusch · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 7 commissioner, per the county's official roster, seeking re-election.
Catie Beth Thomas · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee challenging the incumbent, per the certified ballot.
Open seat: incumbent Pettus Read is stepping down, per WGNS. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no
Bill Tollett · Republican▾
Won the May Republican primary over John Gaessler for the open seat, per WGNS.
Jennifer Burke · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee for the open seat, per the certified ballot.
Three-way race: independent Carson Stem prints alongside both party nominees. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county
Joshua James · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 9 commissioner, per the county's official roster, seeking re-election in a three-way general.
Jake Malmstrom · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee, per the certified ballot.
Carson Stem · Independent▾
Independent candidate, per the certified ballot.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Phil Wilson · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 10 commissioner from Smyrna, per the county's official roster, running unopposed.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Anthony Johnson · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 11 commissioner from Smyrna, per the county's official roster, seeking re-election.
Wayne Sharpe · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee challenging the incumbent, per the certified ballot.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Carl Boyd · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 12 commissioner from Smyrna, per the county's official roster, seeking re-election.
Celest Davis · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee challenging the incumbent, per the certified ballot.
Open seat: incumbent Paul Johnson is retiring, per WGNS. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no late
Brian Stoll · Republican▾
Republican nominee for the open seat, per the certified ballot and WGNS.
Brendan Doughtie · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee for the open seat, per the certified ballot and WGNS.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Wayne Irvin · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 14 commissioner, per the county's official roster, running unopposed.
Open seat: incumbent Craig Harris gave up the seat to run for county mayor, per WGNS. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until th
Shawn McGowan · Republican▾
Republican nominee for the seat vacated by Craig Harris's mayoral run, per WGNS.
Chay Woods · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee for the open seat, per the certified ballot.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Phil Dodd · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 16 commissioner, per the county's official roster, seeking re-election.
Cathy Watts · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee challenging the incumbent, per the certified ballot.
Open seat: Commission Chair Jeff Phillips is not seeking re-election, per WGNS. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the coun
Terry Hodge · Republican▾
Republican nominee for the open seat vacated by Commission Chair Jeff Phillips, per WGNS.
Sean Tyler Gilliland · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee for the open seat, per the certified ballot.
Three-way race: independent Eddie Sanders prints alongside both party nominees. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the coun
Allen McAdoo · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 18 commissioner, per the county's official roster, seeking re-election in a three-way general.
Diana Carter · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee, per the certified ballot.
Eddie Sanders · Independent▾
Independent candidate, per the certified ballot.
No Republican prints; the incumbent, Romel McMurry, runs as an independent. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county c
Pat Clements · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee challenging the independent incumbent, per the certified ballot and WGNS.
Romel McMurry · IndependentIncumbent▾
Sitting District 19 commissioner, per the county's official roster, seeking re-election as an independent.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Trey Gooch · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting District 20 commissioner, per the county's official roster, seeking re-election.
Josh Walker · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee challenging the incumbent, per the certified ballot.
Open seat: incumbent Chantho Sourinho is stepping away, per WGNS. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, du
Jeff Lloyd · Republican▾
Republican nominee for the open seat, per the certified ballot and WGNS.
Laura Blackwell Clark · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee for the open seat after winning the county's only contested Democratic commission primary in May, per WGNS.
Sitting Zone 1 member Tammy Sharp lost the May Republican primary and does not print, per WGNS. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficia
Chuck Isbell · Republican▾
Defeated sitting Zone 1 school board member Tammy Sharp in the May Republican primary, per WGNS.
Jeanice McCord · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee, per the certified ballot and WGNS.
Sumatra Drayton · Independent▾
Independent candidate, per the certified ballot.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Katie Darby · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Sitting Zone 4 member of the Rutherford County Board of Education and the only sitting county school board member to survive the May primary, per WGNS.
Brian Hall · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee, per the certified ballot and WGNS.
Dayna Nichols · Independent▾
Independent candidate, per the certified ballot.
Sitting Zone 7 member Frances Rosales lost the May Republican primary and does not print, per WGNS. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unoff
Julie Wishing · Republican▾
Unseated sitting Zone 7 school board member Frances Rosales in the May Republican primary, per WGNS.
Jonathan Yancey · Democratic▾
Democratic nominee, per the certified ballot and WGNS.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
David "Rabbit" Victory · IndependentIncumbent▾
Sitting member of the county Highway Commission, per the UT CTAS county directory, running unopposed for the Zone 1 Road Board seat.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Brian D. Hercules · Independent▾
Sole candidate printing for the Zone 4 Road Board seat, per the certified ballot.
On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee
Mark P. Lee · IndependentIncumbent▾
Sitting member of the county Highway Commission, per the UT CTAS county directory, running unopposed for the Zone 7 Road Board seat.
On the August 6, 2026 Murfreesboro municipal ballot, which runs alongside the county general, per the certified municipal sample ballot. City races are nonpartisan. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee has no automatic recount.
Shane McFarlandIncumbent▾
Sitting Mayor of Murfreesboro, per the city's official council roster, first elected mayor in 2014 after serving on the council since 2006. Seeking another four-year term.
Nathan Bennett▾
Repeat challenger who also ran against McFarland in 2022, when election coverage identified him as a Blackman High School math teacher.
Voters choose three of five candidates for three at-large seats; sitting members Averwater, Scales Harris and Maxwell are the incumbents whose seats are up. On the August 6, 2026 Murfreesboro municipal ballot, which runs alongside the county general, per the certified municipal sample ballot. City races are nonpartisan. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commissio
Jami K. AverwaterIncumbent▾
Sitting at-large Murfreesboro City Council member, per the city's official council roster, seeking re-election; participated in the June League of Women Voters candidate forum, per the city's news release.
Madelyn Scales HarrisIncumbent▾
Sitting at-large council member, per the city's official council roster, with council service dating back over a decade; seeking re-election.
Austin MaxwellIncumbent▾
Sitting at-large council member, per the city's official council roster, seeking re-election; participated in the June League of Women Voters candidate forum, per the city's news release.
Jacob Morphis▾
Challenger for one of three at-large seats; participated in the June League of Women Voters candidate forum, per the city's news release.
Jeffrey Wooden▾
Challenger for one of three at-large seats; participated in the June League of Women Voters candidate forum, per the city's news release.
Three candidates for three seats; WGNS qualifying coverage identifies all three as sitting board members. Barbara Hutchins Long prints as the Republican nominee while the other two print as independents, per the certified municipal ballot. On the August 6, 2026 Murfreesboro municipal ballot, which runs alongside the county general, per the certified municipal sample ballot. City races are nonpartisan. RESULTS ARE IN:
Karen L. Dodd · Independent▾
One of three sole qualifiers for the three City School Board seats; identified as a sitting board member in WGNS qualifying coverage.
Barbara Hutchins Long · Republican▾
One of three sole qualifiers for the three City School Board seats; identified as a sitting board member in WGNS qualifying coverage.
Amanda Moore · Independent▾
One of three sole qualifiers for the three City School Board seats; identified as a sitting board member in WGNS qualifying coverage.
On the August 6, 2026 Smyrna municipal ballot, which runs alongside the county general, per the certified municipal sample ballot.
Lisa J. Brewer · Independent▾
Sole candidate printing for Smyrna Town Court Clerk, per the certified municipal sample ballot.
