White County election update
An up-to-date list of which candidates are running for office, and other information voters need to be aware of as we move into election season here in White County.
Sparta
It’s an election year and that means there will be a lot of information out there about who is running for what office and when you need to vote. This can get confusing when you consider primary elections and general elections, who is running on what ticket, and why they aren’t on a poll when you show up to cast your vote. So, the Main Street Journal – Sparta has created a quick guide to help.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 – State Judicial and County Primary Elections
On this date, voters will be choosing which candidates will represent the Republican and Democratic parties in the general election later in the year. Those candidates who are running as an Independent will not appear on any ballot on this date. If a candidate wins the primary vote, they will advance to the general election (which takes place in August) and run against a candidate from the other party and/or any independent candidates.
Candidates for these elections must turn in their qualifying papers no later than 12 noon on Thursday, February 19. These papers include proof of residency, proof of party affiliation, and a petition signed by constituents from the county or district they plan to represent among other things. Candidates have one week to withdraw their candidacy, making the ballot official at 12 noon on Thursday, February 26.
While not on the primary ballot, those candidates who are running as independents for any office that is being represented on the primary ballot must adhere to these deadlines as well.
In order to vote in the May Primary, residents must be a registered voter in their designated district and/or county. The deadline to register to vote is Monday, April 6. Voters may vote in either the Republican Primary or the Democrat Primary, but not both. However, they may vote in a Primary and then again later in the General Election
Below is a list of applicants who have picked up papers from the White County Election Commission as intending to run for office in either the May Primary or the August County General Election. These names are current as of today, Jan. 15, 2026. Remember, due to the deadlines above, this list can continue to change until February 20. The Main Street Journal will post another confirmed list after that date.
For each of the following categories, voters may only choose ONE candidate
For the office of County Executive
Connie Daivs – Independent
Kyle Goff – Republican
Joe Hallums – Republican
Denny Wayne Robinson – Republican (Incumbent)
Penny Whaley – Republican
County Clerk
Sasha Wilson – Independent (Incumbent)
Circuit Court Clerk
Beverly Jolley – Republican (Incumbent)
Highway Superintendent
Jerry Sawyer – Republican (Incumbent)
Register of Deeds
Lori Jones - Republican (Incumbent)
Sheriff
Steve Page - Republican (Incumbent)
Daniel Trivette – Independent
Trustee
Kathryn Adcock - Independent (Incumbent)
For each of the following categories, voters may choose TWO candidates, but ONLY for the district in which they reside.
County Commission District 1
Chris Brewington – Independent
Cain Rogers – Republican
County Commission District 2
T.K. Austin, Jr – Republican
Erick Dildine – Republican
Ronnie Miller – Republican
County Commission District 3
Emory Thompson – Republican
Becky Golden – Republican
Willard Greene – Independent
County Commission District 4
John Dakota White – Independent
Ben Knupp – Republican
County Commission District 5
Charles Hagar – Democrat
William Randolph – Independent
Dana Teeple – Republican
County Commission District 6
Bryan Cole – Republican
Joe Davis – Republican
Derrick Hutchings – Republican
Janett Marie McElheny – Independent
Monica “Moni” Webb – Republican
County Commission District 7
Tracy Fowler – Republican
For each of the following categories, voters may only choose ONE candidate, and only for the district in which they reside.
School Board District 5
Jerry Kelsey – Republican
Larry Thompson – Independent
School Board District 6
No petitions issued at this time
School Board District 7
No petitions issued at this time
Candidates who win the primary will have their name on the general election ballot on Thursday, August 6. There will only one Republican and one Democrat, along with any independent candidates, for each position on the general ballot (remember, there are two positions for each district in the county commission so this number can double). However, there does not have to be a representative from each party. If a candidate loses their primary, they cannot run in the general election as an independent as the deadline for filing those petitions will have already passed.
Follow along with the Main Street Journal – Sparta over the next couple of months as we bring you dates and locations where you can meet the candidates, Q & A opportunities, and updated election information.
After the May 5 primary, we will publish a new list with those candidates running in the August 6 County General Election and the August 6 State and Federal Primary election. The City of Sparta's General Election will also take place at this time, and we will bring you a list of mayor and alderman candidates as well.
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