05/04/2026
2026 ELECTION (PLEASE READ)
I wanted to take a few minutes to go over something important, namely this year’s election.
In-person voting for the primary is coming up on Tuesday, and over the last few weeks, several people are a bit confused about the process. Some have wondered where “their” candidates are, why there are so few names on the ballot, why certain races look different than expected, and how this all works.
I know some folks already understand it, but not everyone does, so let’s take a minute and walk through it.
First, a quick note: this post isn’t meant to endorse anyone, It’s meant to help people better understand the process. Please be respectful of what this post is trying to do.
This also isn’t meant to be a place to bash candidates, including who is running as what, or why. There are a lot of strong Republican candidates who made the decision to run as independent candidates, and I respect their reasoning, just as I respect those who chose to run as Republicans. Voter rolls are available for purchase at the Election Office, and you can see how people have voted in the past, if you’re so inclined.
Now, let’s get back to it.
Early voting wrapped up a few days ago, and you may have noticed the ballot wasn’t what you were expecting. In some races, there were very limited choices. That’s because, for the first time in more than three decades, we’re having a primary. That means candidates had to choose whether to run under a party affiliation or run as independents. Those running as a Republican are on the ballot in the primary, and those running as independent will be on the ballot in August. Based on what I’m tracking, there are 19 Republican candidates and 29 independent candidates. Someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. Again, those candidates chose to run as independents for their own reasons, and we’re not here to debate that. I am on the ballot as a independent, My politics are fairly well known at this point from serving this last term as one of the 3 3rd district commisoners and I have the voting record to back it up. So, don’t let party affiliation make your decision for you. Get to know the candidates. Look at the races. Ask questions. Make your decision based on who you believe will do the job well. More on that later.
One important thing to point out is TCA 2-5-101(f), commonly referred to as the “sore loser” law. If a candidate loses in the primary, they can’t turn around and run again in the general election. They’re out. Done.
Enough talk, let’s get into the actual races.
COUNTY MAYOR RACE
This is one of only two contested elections in the entire primary. There are two Republican candidates, and there are no independent or Democratic candidates waiting in the general election. That means if you want your voice to be heard in this race, and you haven’t already early voted, you need to vote in person on Tuesday. The winner of this primary will run unopposed in August, so for all intents and purposes, this race will be decided Tuesday. Understand me very carefully…if you want a say in who is county mayor, vote Tuesday.
SHERIFF
This is the only other contested race in the primary. There are two Republican candidates running, and the winner will move on to the general election, where an independent candidate is waiting. So, there are two big decisions in this race: first, who wins the Republican primary, and then who wins between that candidate and the independent candidate in August. You have two big choices to make in this race.
After that, things get much less dramatic in the primary.
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK, COUNTY CLERK, TRUSTEE, and ROAD SUPERINTENDENT
These candidates are running unopposed, and those races will effectively be decided Tuesday, since there are no independent candidates waiting in the general election.
REGISTER OF DEEDS
There is one Republican candidate running unopposed in the primary, with two independent candidates waiting in the general election. That race will be decided in August.
CONSTABLE DISTRICT 1 and DISTRICT 2
Each district has one Republican candidate in the primary and no opposition in the general election, so those races will be decided in the primary.
CONSTABLE DISTRICT 3
There is one Republican candidate in the primary and one independent candidate waiting in the general election. Since that district has two elected positions, this race is essentially already decided.
County Commission and School Board are a little more complicated.
SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1, Laurel and Cold Springs
There is one Republican candidate and one independent candidate. There is one seat available, and this race will be decided in August.
SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 2, Neva, Trade, Forge Creek, Shouns, City
There is one independent candidate running unopposed for one seat, so this race is essentially already decided.
SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 3, Doe, Butler, Shady
There are three independent candidates running for two seats, and this race will be decided in August.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1, Laurel and Cold Springs
There is one Republican candidate running unopposed in the primary, with four independent candidates waiting in the general election. This race will be decided in August.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 2, Forge and Shouns
There are no Republican candidates, and three independent candidates are running for one seat. This race will be decided in August.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 3, Neva and Trade
There are two Republican candidates on the primary ballot, with three independent candidates waiting in August. Both Republican candidates will move forward to August. There are three seats available in this district, and the race will be decided in August.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4, Dry Run and Butler
There are Republican candidate who will advance to the general election, where 3 independent candidates are waiting. This race will be decided in August.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 5, Doe
There are no Republican candidates running, and six independent candidates are running for three seats. This race will be decided in August.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 6, Shady
There is one Republican candidate on the primary ballot and one independent candidate running in August. There is one seat available, and this race will be decided in August.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 7, City
There are two Republican candidates running in the primary for two seats. Since there are two seats available and no other candidates waiting in August, this race is essentially already decided.
The biggest thing I’ll say is this: please don’t treat this like a team sport. Don’t vote for or against someone just because there’s an “R” beside their name, and don’t vote for or against someone just because there’s an “I” beside theirs. Vote your heart. Get to know the candidates. Ask what they believe, what they’ve done, how they carry themselves, and whether you believe they’ll do the job with honesty, common sense, backbone, and a real love for this county.
Johnson County needs leaders who want to see us grow and prosper, but who also understand what makes this place special in the first place. Growth is important, but so is remembering who we are. We need people who can help move this county forward without turning it into somewhere we don’t recognize.
So learn the candidates. Think it through. Pray about it. Then cast your vote, in every single race, for the person you honestly believe will serve Johnson County in the best possible way.
Johnson County being something special starts with the voters. It starts with us caring enough to pay attention, ask questions, and choose leaders who’ll do the job the right way. Our future, our growth, our values, and the character of the place we call home are all shaped by the choices we make at the ballot box. So make those choices count.
Chad Greever explained this well so I copied what he wrote and wanted y'all to read it and help you all understand the election process this year
