Image Credit: Kelli O’Connor, Empowered Sevier
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
Kelli O’Connor, Founder of Empowered Sevier organized a successful candidate convention for those seeking offices in Sevier County, Tennessee. The event was attended by an estimated 400 voters seeking information on a wide variety of office holders and challengers.
The offices and candidates represented are as follows
DISTRICT / SEAT NAME
County Mayor Bryan McCarter
County Com 1b Ian Morelan
County Com 1b Ronny Breeden
County Com 2b Phillip King
County Com 4b Steve Leo
County Com 4b Gary Gibson
County Com 4c Jack Parton
County Com 4c Jeremiah Woods
County Com 5a Michael Maddron
County Com 5b Rick Valentine
County Com 5c Barbara Parton
County Com 5c Zachary Anderson Boling
County Com 6a Michael Pollard
County Com 6a Sarah Rutledge
County Com 6a Andrew “Andy” Jackson
County Com 7a Jim Flynn
County Com 8a Aaron Tyler Foster
County Com 8b Anthony Moore
County Com 8b Michael W Hillard
Trustee Courtney Louise McCroskey
Sheriff Michael Hodges
Sheriff Chad E Ogle
County Clerk Logan Baker
County Clerk Adra E Rowland
Gen Sessions Clerk Penny Johnson
Gen Sessions Clerk Lynn McFall
Register of Deeds Cyndi Pickel
Road Superintendent Donnie Adams
Road Superintendent Tracie Jenkins Widner
Circuit Court Clerk Karen Atchley
Constable 3b Jordan Gage Helton
Gen Sessions Judge 1 Keith Cole
Circuit Court Judge part IV Dist 4 Jeremy Ball
Circuit Court Judge part V Dist 4 Adrienne Ogle
GOP SEC District 8 Bobby Johnson
Of the nearly 400 participants, a non-scientific straw poll was conducted with a total of 258 ballots submitted.
The result of that poll is provided below.
“We were amazed with the response from the community for our 2026 Candidate Convention! We had an estimated 400 people attend, which is almost double our attendance from our 2022 candidate convention. Educating the public on elections and the candidates and providing a venue to connect voters with candidates face-to-face is critical to keeping our republic. I am proud to say that Empowered Sevier is there to fulfill that need in Sevier County.” – said Kelli O’Connor, Empowered Sevier Organizer
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
