Multiple local, county, state offices set to be on the ballot in 2026

Voters across Cheatham County and South Cheatham communities will decide dozens of local, county and state offices in 2026, with races scheduled for May, August and November and several key seats opening due to retirements and expiring terms.

Among the most notable races is Tennessee House District 78, which will be open for the first time in more than a decade following the retirement of longtime Rep. Mary Littleton. The district includes all of Cheatham County and part of Dickson County. 

The seat will be decided during the Aug. 6, 2026 Republican primary, followed by the Nov. 3 general election. At the time of publishing, former Pegram Mayor John Louallen and former Pleasant View Mayor and current Cheatham County Republicans President Perry Keenan are the only two candidates vying for the Republican nomination.

The 2026 ballot will also include State Governor; one U.S. Senate seat; U.S. Representative for District 7; and State Senator for District 23. 

County government fully on the ballot

Every county constitutional office will appear on the 2026 ballot, including county mayor, sheriff and all county commission districts.

That includes two District 5 seats, which represent Pegram, and two District 6 seats, which represent Kingston Springs. District 5 is currently represented by Diana Pike Lovell and Eugene Evans. District 6 is represented by Jimmy Hedgepath and Mike Breedlove. 

At the time of publication, Eugene Evans and Jody Vann petitioned to be the Republican candidates for District 5. Diana Pike Lovell petitioned as an Independent candidate for District 5. Clint Biggers and Jimmy Hedgepath petitioned to be the Republican candidates for District 6. 

Petitions for Cheatham County Mayor include Republican incumbent Kerry McCarver and Republican candidate William Anderson.

County offices will first appear in the May 5, 2026 State and County Primary, with winners and independent candidates advancing to the Aug. 6 county general election.

School board and municipal races

Three Cheatham County School Board seats — Districts 1, 4 and 5 — will be on the ballot in 2026. District 5, which oversees Pegram Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School, is currently represented by Robert Epps, who has not yet filed a petition to re-run.

In addition, South Cheatham towns will hold municipal elections:

• Pegram will elect two aldermen during the Aug. 6, 2026 municipal election. Randy Howington and Michael Paszek’s seats are up for election. Neither have yet filed a petition to re-run.
• Kingston Springs will elect two commissioners during the Nov. 3, 2026 municipal election. Mayor Todd Verhoven and Vice Mayor Mike Hargis’ seats are up for election. The first day to pick up petitions for these two seats is June 22, 2026. 

Key dates:

• April 15-30, 2026 – Early voting for state and county primaries
• May 5, 2026 — State and county primaries
• July 17-Aug. 1 – Early voting for state primary, county general and Pegram municipal elections
• Aug. 6, 2026 — State primary, county general and Pegram municipal elections
• Oct. 14-29, 2026 – Early voting for the state general and Kingston Springs municipal elections
• Nov. 3, 2026 — State general and Kingston Springs municipal elections

More detailed filing deadlines and candidate information are available through the Cheatham County Election Commission.