The Ballot Brief
Montgomery County, Tennessee

Sheriff

What this office does

Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.

This race. Every voter in Montgomery County votes on this seat.

Tennessee › Montgomery County › Sheriff

Decided at the 2026 primary: Mike Oliver won the seat

DECIDED at the August 6, 2026 county general election: Mike Oliver won with 42.5 percent over Johnny M. Ransdell (34.2 percent) in a 3-way race, per local reporting reporting of the Montgomery County Election Commission's results (re-verify against the commission's certified results). This office will not appear on the November 3 ballot. Open seat: incumbent Sheriff John Fuson is not on the ballot, per the certified qualified-candidates list and the county's Elected Officials list. On Montgomery County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified qualified-candidates list. County offices are decided at this election; the printed ballot also provides a write-in line. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee has no automatic recount.

Winner

Mike Oliver

Republican

Top priorities
  • Restore public access to the jail booking log
  • Deputy retention through competitive pay, training and clear promotion pathways
  • School safety, traffic safety and community partnerships

Per Clarksville Now's Q&A.

Biography

Law enforcement officer with over 32 years of experience, beginning with the Tennessee Department of Correction and then the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, where he worked corrections, road patrol, K-9, the drug task force and the special victims unit, per Clarksville Now's candidate Q&A.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Also ran in the primary

Dexter L. Mines Sr.

Independent

Top priorities
  • Evidence-based jail programs: mental health, substance abuse treatment and reentry planning
  • Community trust and transparency
  • Deputy wellness and professional development

Per Clarksville Now's Q&A.

Biography

Army veteran and 22-year law enforcement professional whose career spans the Greenbrier Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and service as assistant director of the Tennessee POST Commission, per Clarksville Now's candidate Q&A.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Johnny M. Ransdell

Independent

Top priorities
  • Publish a conviction log rather than a booking log of un-adjudicated arrestees
  • Deputy retention through competitive pay and promotion from within
  • Manage growth with more deputy visibility; supports the county's public safety annex

Per the Clarksville Now's Q&A.

Biography

Johnny M. Ransdell is a retired Clarksville Police Department officer whose 31-year career included the Fatal Accident Crash Team, Juvenile Engagement Team, Street Crimes Unit, Special Operations Unit and Major Crimes Unit, per Clarksville Now's candidate Q&A.

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Sheriff in 2026?

The Sheriff race was decided at the 2026 primary - Mike Oliver won the seat - and does not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 3 candidates were on the primary ballot: Mike Oliver, Dexter L. Mines Sr. and Johnny M. Ransdell. Candidate information follows official Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Sheriff election in Tennessee?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Tennessee are on the Tennessee election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Montgomery County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Montgomery County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Tennessee election office, or see the full Montgomery County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Montgomery County ballot

4 tracked races in Montgomery County, Tennessee. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Tennessee House District 68Tennessee House District 75Tennessee Senate District 23See all 4 Montgomery County races
Candidate profiles
Mike Oliver, full profileDexter L. Mines Sr., full profileJohnny M. Ransdell, full profileOfficial Tennessee election office