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Smithville Today
By the People, for the People
More Candidates File for Upcoming DeKalb County Elections
65 candidates have picked up qualifying petitions for local offices so far, including races for county commission, mayor, and school board.
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
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The DeKalb County Election Office has reported that more candidates have filed to run in the upcoming 2026 county and city primaries and general elections. So far, 65 candidates have picked up qualifying petitions for local offices, including five for Smithville City seats, six in the Liberty election, two in Dowelltown, and six in the Town of Alexandria.
Why it matters
With a number of key local offices up for grabs, including county mayor, county commission seats, and school board positions, the increased candidate filings suggest heightened interest and competition in the upcoming elections, which could shape the future direction of DeKalb County.
The details
The qualifying deadline for candidates wishing to appear on the May 5, 2026 local election primaries is February 19 at noon. Candidates who have already picked up petitions include Patrick Ray (Republican) and Beth Pafford (Democrat) for County Mayor, as well as a number of candidates for County Commission seats across the seven districts. Several cities and towns in DeKalb County, including Smithville, Liberty, Dowelltown, and Alexandria, also have mayoral and alderman/council races on the ballot.
- The qualifying deadline for the May 5, 2026 local election primaries is February 19 at noon.
- Candidates for offices on the August 6, 2026 State and Federal Primary and Municipal ballots can begin picking up petitions on January 9, with a qualifying deadline of March 10 at noon.
The players
Patrick Ray
Republican candidate for DeKalb County Mayor.
Beth Pafford
Democratic candidate for DeKalb County Mayor.
Brandon Bates
Independent candidate for DeKalb County Mayor.
DeKalb County Election Commission
The local government agency responsible for overseeing elections in DeKalb County, Tennessee.
Jeremy Prince
Candidate for Mayor of the Town of Alexandria.
What’s next
The DeKalb County Election Commission will continue to accept qualifying petitions from candidates until the February 19 and March 10 deadlines. Voters in DeKalb County will then have the opportunity to cast their ballots in the May 5 primaries and August 6 general election.
The takeaway
The increased number of candidates filing for local offices in DeKalb County suggests a high level of interest and engagement in the upcoming elections, which will give voters more choices when selecting their representatives at the county and municipal levels.
