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 Rutherford County votes on this seat.
Tennessee › Rutherford County › Sheriff
DECIDED at the August 6, 2026 county general election: Kenneth Barrett won with 62.5 percent over Kevin D. Dodds (28.2 percent) in a 3-way race, per the Rutherford County Election Commission's official results. This office will not appear on the November 3 ballot. Open seat: Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh is retiring, per WGNS. Republican primary winner Kenneth Barrett faces two independents. 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.
Republican
Per the campaign site.
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office lieutenant with a 28-year career that began at age 20 as a detention officer, spanning patrol, narcotics, interstate crime operations and K9 units, per his campaign site.
Independent
Independent candidate in the open-seat race to succeed retiring Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh, per the certified ballot and WGNS.
Independent
Self-described lifelong Republican running on the independent ticket, per his candidate announcement in the Murfreesboro Post. Prints on the ballot as Rhett Rankin; some coverage refers to him as James Rankin.
Who is running for Sheriff in 2026?
The Sheriff race was decided at the 2026 primary - Kenneth Barrett won the seat - and does not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. 3 candidates were on the primary ballot: Kenneth Barrett, Kevin D. Dodds and Rhett Rankin. Candidate information follows official Rutherford 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 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.
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.
6 tracked races in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.