Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Camden Mayor & Board of Mayor and Aldermen Election 2026
2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 5 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
How to vote · 11 days left
Early voting ends (Oct 29): the election office's noticeThese 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 seatVoters choose one candidate for mayor and up to two of the three candidates for alderman; all races are citywide.
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.
- GovernorOfficial candidate list, in its order
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
- U.S. SenateOfficial candidate list, in its order
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
- Statewide measures3 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
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
01City work schedules3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn July 2026 the board declined, 3 to 2, a street department proposal to move from five 8-hour days to four 10-hour days a week.
What's on the tableThe next board will decide city employee schedules, pay and benefits.
- Street department employees proposed changing from five 8-hour days to four 10-hour days a week, which would give workers a three-day weekend. The Camden Chronicle, July 16, 2026 · Jul 16, 2026
- The board declined the four-day work week proposal on a 3 to 2 vote on July 13, 2026. The Camden Chronicle, July 16, 2026 · Jul 16, 2026
- The July 13, 2026 agenda listed the street department's request to change to a 4-day, 10 hours per day work week as old business. City of Camden Board of Mayor and Aldermen agenda, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026
02Derelict and abandoned houses3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe codes enforcement officer asked for more money to mow yards at derelict, abandoned houses; the board said the request could be considered after the state accepted the budget.
What's on the tableThe next board will decide how much to spend enforcing property-maintenance rules on vacant houses.
- Codes Enforcement Officer Bill Uchyn said there are 20 or more derelict, abandoned houses in Camden that need to have the yard mowed. The Camden Chronicle, July 16, 2026 · Jul 16, 2026
- Uchyn estimated he would need $10,000 added to the mowing budget; the request was declined because the 2026-27 budget was awaiting the State Comptroller's acceptance. The Camden Chronicle, July 16, 2026 · Jul 16, 2026
- The July 13, 2026 agenda listed Bill Uchyn concerning vacant residential properties as new business. City of Camden Board of Mayor and Aldermen agenda, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026
03City budget2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe 2026-2027 budget ordinance came up for final reading on June 25, 2026, and the State Comptroller has approved the fiscal year 2027 budget as adopted.
What's on the tableThe next board will adopt each year's budget and any amendments to it.
- Budget Ordinance #RP-07012026-27 adopts the 2026/2027 fiscal year budgets for the General Fund, Drug Fund, Sanitation Fund and Water/Wastewater Proprietary Fund. City of Camden Board of Mayor and Aldermen agenda, June 25, 2026 special called budget meeting · Jun 25, 2026
- The August 10, 2026 agenda listed a Comptroller letter approving the City's fiscal year 2027 budget as adopted by the City's governing body. City of Camden Board of Mayor and Aldermen agenda, August 10, 2026 · Aug 10, 2026
04Streets, bridge and fire station4 sourced facts
Where it standsCamden is taking bids on a new North Forrest Avenue bridge over Charlie Creek, and the fire department has shown designs for a new station.
What's on the tableThe next board will award contracts and decide how to pay for street, bridge and fire station projects.
- The North Forrest Avenue bridge over Charlie Creek project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee. The Camden Chronicle, Sept. 3, 2026 · Sep 3, 2026
- The October 15, 2026 agenda lists awarding the bid for the North Forrest Ave. bridge over Charlie Creek, with 6 bids received. City of Camden Board of Mayor and Aldermen agenda, October 15, 2026 · Oct 15, 2026
- Camden Fire Department leaders presented a design for a two-story fire station with a four-bay area, to be built on property purchased on South Forrest Ave. The Camden Chronicle, July 16, 2026 · Jul 16, 2026
- Four companies bid on the 2026 annual street paving, ranging from $147.65 to $162.88 per ton. City of Camden Board of Mayor and Aldermen agenda, March 9, 2026 · Mar 9, 2026
05Parks and zoning2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city has asked the Tennessee Army National Guard to help renovate the City park, and a downtown rezoning is on the October 2026 agenda.
What's on the tableThe next board will vote on zoning changes and park projects.
- The City of Camden asked the Tennessee Army National Guard to perform grading and site preparation for City park renovations, citing limited funding. The Camden Chronicle, July 23, 2026 · Jul 23, 2026
- Ordinance #RP-11092026, on first reading in October 2026, would rezone property at W. Lake St. and Maple from B-3 (Central business) to R-1 (low density residential). City of Camden Board of Mayor and Aldermen agenda, October 15, 2026 · Oct 15, 2026
1 note on these statements
The two alderman seats on the ballot are held by Scotty Smith and Patricia McLin, who indicated they do not intend to run for additional terms. The Camden Chronicle, June 25, 2026 (front page: City of Camden election) · Jun 25, 2026
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Key dates
- Early voting beginsBenton County Election CommissionOct 14, 2026
- Early voting endsBenton County Election CommissionOct 29, 2026
- Election DayBenton County Election Commission · Nov 3, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
3 stay (not up this year): Brent Hedge, Makisha Holland, Rosanne Ward2 on this ballot
5 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- Camden's elected officers are a Mayor and a Board of Aldermen of five members chosen by the qualified voters of the city. Charter of the City of Camden (MTAS)
- City elections are held at the regular November election in even-numbered years, and officers serve four-year terms beginning the first Monday in December after their election. Charter of the City of Camden (MTAS)
- The Mayor presides at all meetings of the council and votes in the election of city officers and in cases of a tie vote. Charter of the City of Camden (MTAS)
- The Mayor may veto an ordinance or resolution, and the council can pass it over the veto by a two-thirds vote. Charter of the City of Camden (MTAS)
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