As part of MSJ-Sparta’s 2026 Election Coverage, our Meet Your Candidates series gives voters a quick, clear look at who’s on the ballot and where they stand so you can head to the polls informed and confident.
My name is Jerry Sawyer, and I am proud to announce that I am seeking re-election as your White County Highway Superintendent in the Republican Primary on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, then again in August for the General Election.
I was born and raised right here in White County. My wife, Jamie (Maynard) Sawyer, and I both graduated from White County High School in 2007. Today, we are raising our two boys in the same community that raised us. We are active members of Life Church of Sparta and are grateful to serve in volunteer roles. I have served on the White County Fair Board since 2017, and Jamie has also been involved with several local boards in our community. We love White County and are proud to call it home.
Since being elected in 2022, it has been an incredible honor to serve as your Highway Superintendent. From day one, I committed to maintaining an open-door policy and being accessible to the people of White County. I have worked hard to ensure that no call or concern goes unanswered and that this role remains my top priority.
During my first term, our Highway Department has made significant progress:
• Paved 55 miles of roadway using more than 55,000 tons of asphalt mix
• Spread nearly 18,000 tons of rock on gravel roads and drainage projects
• Replaced over 4,000 feet of drainage pipe and installed 2,000 feet of new entrance pipes for homeowners
• Used approximately 700 tons of salt to keep roads safe during winter weather
• Built a new salt bin in-house, saving the county six figures
I am also proud to share that our department has undergone annual financial audits during my time in office with no findings. That success is made possible by our Highway Department Secretary, Peggy Hutchings, and the outstanding White County Finance Team, who help ensure we operate with integrity and accountability.
If re-elected, I will continue building trust within our community, prioritizing the safety of our road crews, and maintaining and improving as many miles of roadway as possible. My goal is simple: to be a leader you can trust and to keep White County’s roads safe for every family who travels them.
Serving White County has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am proud of the work we have accomplished and grateful for the dedicated team behind me at the Highway Department. I humbly ask for your vote on May 5, 2026, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the people of White County.
The Main Street Journal - Sparta's Election 2026 Coverage is brought to you by Tennessee Credit.
