What to expect on your May 5 primary ballot in Cheatham County

Cheatham County voters will head to the polls May 5 for the county primary election, which will determine who advances to the Aug. 6 general election ballot.

All offices on the ballot are four-year terms.

Because some races include multiple seats, here’s how it works — and who you’ll see on your ballot.

How the primary works

For County Commission Districts 5 and 6, there are two seats available in each district. Each party is allowed to send up to two candidates to the August general election.

That means all candidates currently running in District 5 and District 6 will appear on the Aug. 6 ballot.

For County Mayor, each party may send one candidate to the general election. Because only Republicans filed, the May 5 primary will effectively decide who becomes the next county mayor.

For School Board District 5, one candidate from each party will advance to the August ballot.

County Commission District 6 (Kingston Springs)

Two seats are available.

Candidates are:

• Jimmy Hedgepath (R) — incumbent
• Clint Biggers (R)
• Jan Morrison (D)

Incumbent Mike Breedlove (I) is not seeking re-election.

County Commission District 5 (Pegram)

Two seats are available.

On the Republican primary ballot:

• Gene Evans (R) — incumbent
• Jody Vann (R)

Incumbent Diana Pike-Lovell is running as an Independent and will not appear on the May 5 ballot. She will appear on the Aug. 6 general election ballot.

County Mayor

The Republican primary will determine who advances to August:

• Kerry McCarver (R) — incumbent
• Bill Anderson (R) — current Pleasant View mayor

There is no Democratic challenger filed.

School Board District 5 (Pegram)

Voters will choose among:

• Kathy Crouch Luper (R)
• Ginger Rose Vann (R)
• Rebecca Shrem (D)

One Republican and one Democrat will advance to the Aug. 6 ballot. Incumbent Robert Epps (R) is not seeking re-election.

Uncontested races

The following candidates are running unopposed:

• Trustee — Cindy Binkley Perry (R)
• Sheriff — Tim Binkley (R)
• Register of Deeds — Chrissy Duke Henderson (R)
• County Clerk — Abby Short (R)
• Circuit Court Clerk — Holly Waller (R)

No candidates qualified to run for constable in District 5 (currently held by T.J. Collier) or District 6 (currently held by Bubba Parker). If those seats remain vacant, they will be filled by appointment of the County Commission.

Important dates

• Last day to register to vote: April 6, 2026
• Early voting: April 15–April 30
• Election Day: May 5

In the southern portion of the county, early voting takes place at Pegram City Hall. Exact dates and times can be found on the Cheatham County Election Commission website. On May 5, Kingston Springs residents will vote at Harpeth High School and Pegram residents will vote at Pegram City Hall. 

The Gazette will be conducting sit-down interviews with candidates in contested races in the coming weeks to help voters make informed decisions before heading to the polls.