The Ballot Brief
Rutherford County, Tennessee

Rutherford County Commissioner - District 8

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

Tennessee › Rutherford County › Rutherford County Commissioner - District 8

Decided at the 2026 primary: Bill Tollett won the seat

DECIDED at the August 6, 2026 county general election: Bill Tollett won with 70.1 percent over Jennifer Burke (29.6 percent), per the Rutherford County Election Commission's official results. This office will not appear on the November 3 ballot. Open seat: incumbent Pettus Read is stepping down, per WGNS. On Rutherford County's August 6, 2026 county general ballot, per the Election Commission's certified sample ballot. 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. This seat is elected by district; only your district appears on your printed ballot. Confirm your district with the Rutherford County Election Commission.

Winner

Bill Tollett

Republican

Biography

Won the May Republican primary over John Gaessler for the open seat, per WGNS.

Also ran in the primary

Jennifer Burke

Democratic

Biography

Democratic nominee for the open seat, per the certified ballot.

Next on your ballotTennessee Senate District 13

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Rutherford County Commissioner - District 8 in 2026?

The Rutherford County Commissioner - District 8 race was decided at the 2026 primary - Bill Tollett won the seat - and does not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 2 candidates were on the primary ballot: Bill Tollett and Jennifer Burke. Candidate information follows official Rutherford County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Rutherford County Commissioner - District 8 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 Rutherford 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 Rutherford County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Rutherford County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Tennessee House District 13Tennessee House District 34Tennessee House District 37See all 6 Rutherford County races
Candidate profiles
Bill Tollett, full profileJennifer Burke, full profileOfficial Tennessee election office