Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Atoka Mayor & Board of Mayor and Aldermen Election 2026

3 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 8 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Election Day: Atoka mayor and three aldermen (Nov 3): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor

1 seat

Alderman

Vote for up to 3

Voters choose one mayor and up to three aldermen citywide, each for a four-year term.

Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Governor
15 candidates on the ballot
- Marsha Blackburn · Republican
- Jerri Green · Democratic
- Misam Abidi · Independent
- Dean Brewer · Independent
- Ray Brown · Independent
- David Hatley · Independent
- Wendell Jackson · Independent
- Charles Van Morgan · Independent
- Eddie Lee Murphy · Independent
- Lauren Pinkston · Independent
- Victor L. Scoggin · Independent
- Dave Seeman · Independent
- Karl Knox Smithson · Independent
- L. Webb Taylor · Independent
- Robert C. Vick · Independent
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. Senate
10 candidates on the ballot
- Bill Hagerty · Republican
- Marquita Bradshaw · Democratic
- Tharon Chandler · Independent
- Andrew Gerena · Independent
- Jeremy Dean Hearn · Independent
- Robert Jones · Independent
- James William Macon III · Independent
- Yoshi D. Matthews · Independent
- David Sutman, Jr. · Independent
- Catherine Barcel "Barcy" Whitson · Independent
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. HouseDistrict 8
Tennessee House of RepresentativesDistrict 81
Statewide measures3 on the ballot: the state's official explanations

Official voter lookup State voter guide Vote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Water and sewer rates and projects3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe board adopted FY 2027 water and sewer rates on a 3-3 aldermen split broken by the mayor, while wastewater projects funded by large grants continue.

What's on the tableThe next board will set future water and sewer rates and oversee the wastewater projects under way.

The FY 2027 water and sewer rates ordinance passed final consideration after a 3-3 aldermen roll call, with Mayor Akin voting yes. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
An MTAS finance consultant told the board the rates it passed are sufficient to cover depreciation on assets coming online and operating expenses. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, June 16, 2026 special called meeting · Jun 16, 2026
The mayor said the town was awarded an additional $275,000 for lift station modifications, on top of the $8,192,350 originally awarded. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026

02Trash collection fee3 sourced facts

Where it standsA solid waste fee ordinance failed in January 2026, and the board later passed a fee ordinance on final consideration in March.

What's on the tableThe next board will decide future solid waste fee levels and the trash contract.

A solid waste fee ordinance failed on final consideration 2-4 in January 2026. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, January 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026
The board voted 5-1 to direct staff to bring back an ordinance keeping the fee at $21.25 through 2026 and $22.25 for 2027. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, January 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026
A solid waste fee ordinance passed final consideration in March 2026 with one alderman absent. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, March 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026

03New residential development3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe Planning Commission approved the Maple Woods Village preliminary plat with four variances after residents raised traffic and drainage concerns.

What's on the tableThe board and Planning Commission will keep reviewing plans, variances and infrastructure for new subdivisions and apartments.

The Planning Commission approved the Maple Woods Village preliminary plat with four variances from the subdivision regulations. Atoka Planning Commission minutes, June 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026
Residents spoke at the meeting about access points, sewer, drainage, traffic, sidewalks and schools. Atoka Planning Commission minutes, June 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026
At a board meeting, Mayor Akin said the board cannot deny an apartment complex or other development based on whether financial assistance or tax credits were used. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

04Industrial Development Board and economic development2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe board voted to send the Industrial Development Board a letter stating the board's grievances, and made new IDB appointments in August.

What's on the tableThe next board will decide how the town works with the IDB and appoints its members.

The board approved a motion in February 2026, with all in favor, to have a letter stating its grievances drafted and presented to the IDB by the mayor. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, February 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
In August 2026 the board appointed Danny Feldmayer and Brook Taylor to the Industrial Development Board. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, August 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026

05Childcare1 sourced fact

Where it standsCandidate John Harber's campaign lists 75 licensed childcare slots in Atoka and proposes permitting incentives.

What's on the tableThe town can set permitting fees and approval timelines that affect childcare providers.

The Harber campaign says Rising Stars (62 slots) permanently closed and only 75 licensed slots remain for an estimated 550 children under 5. John Harber for Mayor

1 note on these statements

Barry L. Akin, John Harber and Stephen Shopher are all members of the Atoka Municipal/Regional Planning Commission. Atoka Planning Commission minutes, August 17, 2026 · Aug 17, 2026

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Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. How should the board act on Atoka's FY 2027 water and sewer rates?
2. How should the board vote on the town's solid waste (trash) fee ordinance?
3. When a developer asks for subdivision variances, what should the Planning Commission do?
4. What should Atoka do about its Industrial Development Board?
5. Should the town act to increase childcare options in Atoka?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted2 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

Election Day: Atoka mayor and three aldermenTipton County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026
Candidate qualifying deadline (12 noon)Tipton County Election CommissionAug 20, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Brett Giannini, Jeremy Lightsey, Jessie Poole3 on this ballot

6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The Board has six aldermen, all elected at-large to four-year terms, and a mayor elected at-large to a four-year term who heads the Board. Town of Atoka
The Board holds its regular meeting on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Town of Atoka
Mayor Akin's vote was recorded after a 3-3 aldermen roll call on the FY 2027 water and sewer rates ordinance. Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

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