In this issue:
- 2026 – Time to file for local races
- Candidate Resources
- TN General Assembly – Session Begins January 13th
- January Meetings and Upcoming Events
2026 – Time to File for Local Races
It’s HERE! 2026 is going to be a very busy year with primary election for most local offices on May 5th. Seem far away? Not really. Check the key dates in the schedule below.
How to decide which candidates to support? Here’s a few suggestions:
- Make plans to find out about local candidates through Republican Party Meetings and Women’s Clubs.
- Attend Candidate Meet-N-Greet events.
- DO YOUR HOMEWORK! The best voters are the INFORMED voters!
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 – State and County Primary Election
County Elected Offices
| First Day to Pick Up Petitions | Monday, December 22, 2025 |
| Qualifying Deadline* | Thursday, February 19, 2026, 12:00 Noon |
| * This qualifying deadline applies to primary candidates, candidates nominated by caucus, and independent candidates for the offices on the May primary ballot. | |
| Withdrawal Deadline | Thursday, February 26, 2026, 12:00 Noon |
| Voter Registration Deadline | Monday, April 6, 2026 |
| Early Voting Period | Wednesday, April 15 – Thursday, April 30, 2026 |
| Absentee Ballot Request Deadline | Saturday, April 25, 2026 |
| ELECTION DAY | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 |
Candidate Resources
Need a little help to sort through ‘how’ to run? Here’s a few resources offered last month in the December Candidate Education Forum. These are offered courtesy of your SEC Committeewoman, Linda Clark. Reviewing these documents might give new (or incumbent) candidates helpful information.
TN General Assembly – Convenes Jan 13th
Tennessee’s General Assembly will kickoff January 13th. For those interested in following legislation, the website includes calendars for both full session and committee meetings, some handy tracking tools and live and recorded videos of all meetings. If you haven’t checked it out, give it a try. Tennessee is blessed with a tremendous degree of transparency in state legislation activities.
January Meetings and Upcoming Events
CAUTION! Winter weather in the Upper Cumberland can vary significantly in a very few miles! Be sure to check for weather cancellations prior to setting out for the gatherings.
Putnam County GOP
Tuesday, January 6th @ 5:30 pm FB link
Potluck at 5:30 pm
please bring sides or desserts)
90 E Spring St, Cookeville, TN 38501
Van Buren County GOP
Thursday, January 8th @ 6 pm FB link
Potluck Dinner
Program: Representative Ron Travis
Burritt College
445 College St, Spencer, TN 38585
Cumberland Co Republican Women
Saturday, January 10th @ 9:30 am FB link
Program: Congressman John Rose, candidate for TN Governor
Come join us for coffee at 9:30 am, program begins at 10:00 am
TCAT Building 1, 910 Miller Ave
Crossville, TN 38555
Rep. Women of the Upper Cumberland
Tuesday, Jan. 13th @ 12 pm (noon) FB link
RSVP and details: tnrwuc.org
J&S Construction Building Conference Rm. (Behind Holiday Inn)
1844 Foreman Dr., Cookeville
Overton County GOP
Tuesday, January 13th @ 6:30 pm FB link
Program: Representative Johnny Garrett, candidate for 6th District Congress
Livingston-Overton Chamber of Commerce
222 East Main St
Livingston, TN
Smith County GOP – Meetings TBA FB link
Warren County GOP – Thursday, Jan 15th @ 6 pm FB link
Warren County Admin building, Early Voting room
201 Locust Street McMinnville, TN 37110
Cumberland County GOP – Tuesday, January 20th at 6 pm FB link
Doors open at 5:30 pm
County Community Complex
1398 Livingston Rd
Crossville, TN 38571
Cumberland County Young Republicans – Wednesday, January 21st @ 6 pm FB link
Organizational Meeting – planning 2026 activities and meetings, electing officers
The Executive Committee of the Club will be nominated: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and State Liaison.
White County GOP – Monday, Jan 26th @ 6:00 pm FB link
3rd Floor, White County Courthouse
1 East Bockman Way, Sparta, TN38583
Jackson County GOP – Tuesday, Jan 27th @ 6:30 pm FB link
Location: New Hope Baptist Church
311 N. Murray St, Gainesboro TN 38562
Bledsoe County GOP – TBA FB link
Pikeville, TN 37367
