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County Commissioner, Rutherford County

District 05

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).

CandidatesCompare by issue

Phil Burney

Democratic

The gist

  • Pledges to bring more job and entertainment opportunities
  • Supports more entertainment, especially for young people
  • Supports letting providers open rehab facilities in the county
More about Phil
View sources (1)

  1. Pledges to bring more job and entertainment opportunities

    Second group of commission candidates lay out their visions

    Debate / forum transcript · The Daily Courier · Feb 9, 2026 · thedigitalcourier.com

    “There's few opportunities for jobs, few opportunities for entertainment, and I want to bring all these nice things to Rutherford County,”

  2. Supports more entertainment, especially for young people

    Second group of commission candidates lay out their visions

    Debate / forum transcript · The Daily Courier · Feb 9, 2026 · thedigitalcourier.com

    “Burney said he wants to bring more entertainment into the county, especially for young people.”

  3. Supports letting providers open rehab facilities in the county

    Second group of commission candidates lay out their visions

    Debate / forum transcript · The Daily Courier · Feb 9, 2026 · thedigitalcourier.com

    “instead of standing in the way of these people that are actually trying to bring their rehab facilities through the county”

Scott J. Haynes

Republican

The gist

  • Supports opening more substance abuse rehab facilities
More about Scott
View sources (1)

  1. Supports opening more substance abuse rehab facilities

    Second group of commission candidates lay out their visions

    Debate / forum transcript · The Daily Courier · Feb 9, 2026 · thedigitalcourier.com

    “Haynes is in favor of opening more rehab facilities in the county for substance abuse.”

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; 3 issues covered in this race.