Your questions, their answers Election 2026

The Main Street Journal – Sparta has been listening to the community. Over the past several weeks, readers have submitted questions they want answered ahead of the 2026 election—and we’ve taken those directly to your County Commission candidates.

Here is your eighth question, and answers from those candidates who chose to respond.

What community involvement have you had in the last 5 years? 

BRYAN COLE:Over the past five years, I've stayed active in the community by being part of the Quarterback Club while my son was in high school, supporting our local athletes and school programs. I've also helped with local events and youth activities whenever possible.

ANDY DAVIS: Over the last several years I’ve tried to stay actively involved in our community in a number of ways.

I currently serve on the White County Farm Bureau Board, the White County Soil Conservation Board, and the White County Ag Committee. Those roles have given me the opportunity to work alongside others who care deeply about agriculture and the future of our county.

My family also hosts Farm Day at our farm each year for all the fourth graders in White County. It’s something we really enjoy doing because it gives kids the chance to see where their food comes from and learn a little about agriculture.

I serve as a deacon at my church, which is an important part of my life and another way I try to give back to the community.

On top of that, I own and operate a small business here in the county, and like a lot of parents, a good bit of my time is spent at ballfields and gyms supporting my kids and their teams.

All of those experiences have helped me stay connected to the people and the day-to-day life of this community.

ERICK DILDINE: God teaches us to always be a helping hand. Over the past five years, I’ve been involved in a lot of community outreach, but to best answer this question, I’ll focus on two efforts that reach some of the biggest parts of our amazing community.

My involvement has always been hands-on, and that’s something I take a lot of pride in. I believe there’s a difference between supporting a cause and truly being involved in it. A lot of times you’ll see people donate or help host an event and that does help, but to me, real community service means getting your hands dirty and putting in the work & time. Problems in our community aren’t solved by just throwing money at them that’s a politician’s solution, they’re solved by people willing to step in and do the work side by side.

My wife and I have been part of the White County Christmas Hope Chest since the very beginning, and it’s something that means a lot to our family. We spend months ahead of time organizing toys, preparing for the event, and helping make sure everything runs smoothly. Last year alone, we helped serve around 25% of the children in our school system. Being able to make sure kids in our community wake up to Christmas morning with something under the tree is something I’ve always been passionate about. It all about the magic to children an I love that

I also am a member of the White County Fair Board because I’ve always loved this community and what the fair represents. It’s one of the biggest events we have that truly brings everyone together as one. I’ve been proud to help support and work alongside others to keep that tradition strong for years.

Outside of organized events, I believe in simply showing up helping where needed, being present, and doing my part. That’s the kind of involvement I’ll continue to bring as commissioner.

DERRICK HUTCHINGS: For the last 5 years, I've focused on the county commission.

For an entire year before I took office, I attended every meeting to learn as much as I could. Over the last 4 years as an official, I have attended many continuing education classes and taken online training to be the best commissioner I can be.

JAVIER ORTIZ: Over the past seven years, my family and I have been deeply involved in the community through organizing poker runs, participating in fundraising events for local charities, sponsoring youth sports and extracurricular activities, and supporting local causes like the YMCA and animal shelter. I’ve worked to bring people together and help those in need, because this community has given so much to me.

WILL RANDOLPH: I am a Public Servant. Community involvement is why I am running for election. I want to make a difference for our county. I have served as Senior Vice President of the Upper Cumberland Chapter of the Police Benevolence Association, I am the Vice President of the Young Family Cemetery Trust Association and Color-Guard for that Cemetery, I have participated as a part of the CTE program at WCHS for many years, I am a Band Dad and have volunteered for many roles for the WCHS Band, I have assisted TCI with development of training, I have worked with Volunteer Behavioral Health in roundtables via the CJL program, I am a Member of the Law Enforcement Roundtable hosted by the TN Council on Developmental Disabilities, I have participated with the proposed Arts Council for White County, lectured at TTU and WCHS, am a member of the Opioid Abatement Committee for White County, and have been a certain jolly old elf in a red suit and beard (That will go unnamed just in case a little one is reading) at many charitable events and businesses for many years. I have also just started the process to officially volunteer with the American Red Cross. Public Service means sacrifice, in my case that’s usually sleep and free time.

The Main Street Journal - Sparta's 2026 Election Coverage is brought to you by Tennessee Credit.