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.
Hello, my name is Emory Thompson. I am a local pastor and general contractor here in Sparta. My wife, Loel, and I have been married for 33 years, and together we have two children and four grandsons who are a great blessing in our lives.
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where I lived until leaving for college. In the summer of 1992, I moved to Sparta. It took some time to adjust to small-town country life, but once I began exploring the woods, fishing in the ponds, and getting to know the people of this community, I quickly fell in love with this area and the values it represents.
Both of our children were born and raised here in Sparta, and I was blessed to build a local business that has faithfully provided for my family for more than 30 years. In 2010, I felt a calling to start an independent church on Golden Mountain Road, which we named Golden Mountain Ministries. Serving both our congregation and the broader community has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
Being actively involved in the community has always been important to me. For that reason, I am running for County Commissioner in District 3, where I have proudly lived for more than three decades.
As a business owner, I work daily with budgets, deadlines, employees, and the need to make sound, cost-effective decisions. I understand the importance of responsible stewardship and ensuring that resources are used wisely. I firmly believe in fiscal conservatism and that taxpayer dollars should be treated with even greater care than our own. Too often, government finds it easy to spend other people’s money without taking the necessary time to fully examine alternatives or long-term consequences.
If elected, I can promise two things. First, I will never cast a vote on any agenda item unless I have taken the time to fully understand the facts and the potential short- and long-term implications. I will not vote “yes” simply because it seems popular or because others believe it is a good idea.
Second, I promise to communicate openly with the residents of District 3 by sharing information about upcoming agenda items so that we can make informed decisions together. I believe communication and transparency are essential to effective leadership.
These principles guide my campaign and are reflected in two simple commitments:
“Nothing Hidden. Nothing Excused.”
The Main Street Journal - Sparta's Election 2026 Coverage is brought to you by Tennessee Credit.
