2026 Election
Candidate Guide

Jacob Rosenbaum is the Executive Director of the Fentress County Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Director of the Fentress County Industrial Board. He is also the former Editor of the Fentress Courier newspaper, and the President of the Jamestown Rotary Club.

A native of Fentress County, Jacob grew up in Allardt and lives in Little Crab with his wife Hannah (Gooding) and his three children (R.L., Catherine, and Henry) on the farm his great-grandparents, Shorty and Pauline Peavyhouse, farmed for over 60 years.

Combining his executive leadership experience in the local business community, his commitment to volunteerism and civic service, and his experience as a journalist, Jacob is committed to building a stronger local economy by supporting local businesses, expanding opportunity through infrastructure improvements, and ensuring total transparency in local government with honest, open communication to the public.

Committed to preserving Fentress County's traditional values and hometown heritage while building a brighter, more prosperous future, Jacob is running unopposed in the Republican Primary on May 5th and will stand as the Republican nominee in the August 6th County General Election for Fentress County Executive.

Gary Ledbetter currently serves as a Detective for the Overton County Sheriff's Office. He began his law enforcement career in 1986 as a reserve officer with the Fentress County Sheriff's Office and became a full-time Deputy Sheriff in 1987. In 1997, Gary was promoted to Detective, and since then he has served as Detective, Lead Detective, and Chief Deputy.

A native of Fentress County, Gary grew up in Jamestown and now resides in Pine Haven. He has one son and two grandsons.

Gary believes the number one responsibility of the Sheriff is ensuring the safety and security of the citizens of Fentress County. On day one, he plans to implement a program to conduct daily welfare checks on vulnerable elderly residents. He is committed to protecting children from those who seek to harm them by hiring experienced and well-trained detectives.

With 39 years of experience in law enforcement, Gary recognizes that drug abuse and addiction are among the most serious issues facing the community. He is committed to enforcing laws against drug dealers while also working closely with organizations like Manna House to support individuals seeking recovery.

Gary has dedicated nearly two-thirds of his life to law enforcement. If elected Sheriff, he believes his training and experience will allow him to make a meaningful difference in Fentress County.

I am honored to announce that I am seeking re-election as your Circuit Court Clerk. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Fentress County since 2014, and I am proud of the work we have done in the Clerk's Office over the past decade.

Before serving in this role, I owned and operated a successful convenience store in Clarkrange, TN for 11 years. Through this experience, I worked with people from all walks of life and developed a strong commitment to service, fairness, and accountability.

When I first took office, I made a commitment to improve efficiency, organization, and ensure that every citizen who walks through our door was treated with respect and professionalism. Together, my staff and I have transformed the office into one that is more accessible, dependable, and accountable to the public.

During my time as Circuit Court Clerk, we modernized office procedures, improved record-keeping, and built a team that works hard every day to serve our courts, law enforcement, attorneys, and most importantly, the people of Fentress County.

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office plays a vital role in our justice system, and I remain committed and dedicated to running an efficient and transparent office that serves people with integrity. I respectfully ask for your continued support — it would be an honor to continue to serve the people of Fentress County.

✦ TRUSTWORTHY  •  TRIED  •  TRUE

Amanda Hicks currently serves as Fentress County Clerk and is seeking re-election after first being elected in 2022. With more than 25 years of experience in customer service, management, and public service, she brings strong leadership and a deep commitment to serving her community.

Amanda holds a Contemporary Management degree from Roane State Community College and is both a Certified Public Administrator through the University of Tennessee and a Certified County Financial Officer through the Tennessee State Comptroller's Office.

During her time in office, she has expanded local services by adding a Driver's License Self-Service Kiosk, a Clarkrange Vehicle Renewal Kiosk, and Passport Acceptance Services — all while maintaining a balanced budget with zero audit findings.

She serves on the Community House Board, supports the Rotary Club Children's Shopping Spree Telethon, and is actively involved in community events. Amanda is also a strong supporter of local businesses and believes in investing in the strength and success of Fentress County.