Upper Cumberland GOP February Meetings

In this issue:

• Winter on the Plateau – Check for Weather Updates!
• Candidate Resources
• February Meetings and Upcoming Events

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Winter on the Plateau

Punxsutawney Phil made his entrance this morning and found sunshine, so legend predicts six more weeks of winter. While middle Tennessee is still recovering from Winter Storm Fern, be sure to double check meetings on the Plateau prior to heading out. Weather conditions vary greatly across every county. Social media and email alerts are the best places to check. Thanks to all those that work to plan and conduct events to engage the public in the upcoming local elections!

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Candidate Resources

A little over two weeks remain in the qualifying period for local races. If you’ve been considering a run, it’s time to get down to the local election commission to file your paperwork. Here’s a few things to keep in mind:

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

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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.

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Tennessee – Stands for Law & Order

Speaker Cameron Sexton shared highlights from this annual report prepared by the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. While other parts of the country share appalling scenes and reports of disrespect for law enforcement at all levels, rest assured that Tennesseans have not lost all common sense. In the meantime, our prosecutors and law enforcement officials have been at work to get criminals, including violent criminals off the streets – making our communities safer! Key takeaways from the report:

• From January 1 to December 31, 2025, there were 11,344 reports submitted by local law
• enforcement from 94 of the state’s 95 counties for January to December 2025.
• During 2025, there were 119 unique countries of origin were reported.
• There was a total of 169 different offenses reported. Of those, approximately 21,648 total
• charges were listed, with 2,183 being violent offenses.
• 41 homicides were reported statewide (this includes criminal homicide, first degree murder,
• second degree murder, and vehicular homicide)

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February 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.

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