County

County Commissioner, Macon County

District 01

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A county commissioner is one of the members of the board that adopts the county budget, sets the property tax rate and oversees county government.

Residency district: every voter in the county votes for this seat (the district is where the member must live; State Board March 3, 2026 primary precinct results).

Candidates Compare by issue

Russ Lunn

Democratic

Retired; former construction company owner

The gist

Supports the strictest data center rules state law allows
Supported defunding the county's Flock license-plate cameras
Pledges more transparency and fewer closed-door sessions
Opposes adding at-large seats to the board
Supports more county help for seniors, families and small businesses

More about Russ

View sources (1)

Supports the strictest data center rules state law allows
Macon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and more
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“Bigger (energy) demand means bigger bills, and people can't afford that.”
Supported defunding the county's Flock license-plate cameras
Macon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and more
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“He also supported defunding the county's Flock cameras.”
Pledges more transparency and fewer closed-door sessions
Macon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and more
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“They have a lot of closed-door meetings at these commissioner meetings, and the people aren't allowed to find out what was said”
Opposes adding at-large seats to the board
Macon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and more
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“Lunn also opposes adding at-large seats.”
Supports more county help for seniors, families and small businesses
Macon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and more
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“Our seniors, families, and small businesses need a little more help,”

John Shearl

RepublicanIncumbent

Macon County commissioner (District 1); contractor

The gist

Opposes the quarter-cent sales tax increase on the ballot
Supports lowering property taxes when the budget is balanced
Pledges to keep county spending within the budget
Proposed dropping the county's Flock license-plate camerasIn office
Voted for ordinance limits meant to deter data centersIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about John

View sources (3)

Opposes the quarter-cent sales tax increase on the ballot
Macon Republican primary candidates address issues ahead of Election Day
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Feb 17, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“Shearl and Willis indicated they were against the tax increase while everyone else raised their hand.”
Supports lowering property taxes when the budget is balanced
Macon Republican primary candidates address issues ahead of Election Day
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Feb 17, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“it was asked whether candidates would look at lowering property taxes if the budget was balanced. Shearl, Willis, Burns and Culpepper were in favor”
Pledges to keep county spending within the budget
Macon Republican primary candidates address issues ahead of Election Day
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Feb 17, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“I have fought every step of the way to live inside that budget,”
Proposed dropping the county's Flock license-plate cameras
De-flocking Macon: County votes to let ALPR contract lapse
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Jul 22, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“Shearl made a motion to "de-Flock Macon County," which amounted to defunding the cameras by opting out of the contract once it's set to renew.”
Voted for ordinance limits meant to deter data centers
Macon County moves to restrict data centers
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Aug 19, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“Commissioners voted unanimously during their Aug. 11 meeting to amend the ordinance”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 5 issues covered in this race.