Newly Elected Officials Take Oath of Office in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro

Aug 31, 2026 at 07:17 pm


MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - Newly elected and re-elected leaders across Rutherford County are officially taking their oaths of office during dedicated local ceremonies.

Rutherford County held its official swearing-in ceremony on Monday (August 31st) at the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse. 

County Mayor Randy Allen said the gravity and magnitude of the swearing-in wasn't lost on him:

RUTHERFORD COUNTY SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

The Honorable Judge Jimmy Turner presided over the proceedings as officials across multiple county departments and commission districts took their oaths. Chancellor Howard W. Wilson administered the oath of office to Rutherford County Mayor Randy Allen. Sheriff Kenneth Barrett was also officially sworn into office to lead local law enforcement.

Several key constitutional officers took their oaths during the ceremony. Trustee Teb Batey and Register of Deeds Heather Dawbarn were officially installed. Retired Judge Royce Taylor presided over the swearing-in of Circuit Court Clerk Jeff McKinney, while Lisa Crowell took her oath as County Clerk.

All 21 Rutherford County Commissioners were officially installed for their terms:

  • Hope Oliver (District 1)

  • Steve Pearcy (District 2)

  • Rick Hall (District 3)

  • Robert Peay, Jr. (District 4)

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  • Jeff Crum (District 5)

  • Jonathan Beverly (District 6)

  • Mike Kusch (District 7)

  • William Tollett (District 8)

  • Joshua James (District 9)

  • Phil Wilson (District 10), with Judge Brittany Stevens presiding

  • Wayne Sharpe (District 11)

  • Carl B. Boyd (District 12), with Judge Brittany Stevens presiding

  • Brendan Doughtie (District 13), with Judge Lisa Eischeid presiding

  • Wayne Irvin (District 14)

  • Shawn McGowan (District 15)

  • Cathy Watts (District 16)

  • Sean Gilliland (District 17)

  • Allen McAdoo (District 18)

  • Romel McMurry (District 19)

  • Trey Gooch (District 20)

  • Laura Clark (District 21), with retired Senior Rutherford County Circuit Court Judge J.S. "Steve" Daniel presiding

Local infrastructure leadership was also installed, as Mark P. Lee was sworn in for Road Board Zone 7 and David Victory took his oath for Road Board Zone 1.

Following the county ceremony, city leadership will take the oath of office on Thursday (September 3rd) at 4:00 p.m. at the Murfreesboro City Hall Council Chambers, located at 111 West Vine Street. General Sessions Judge Toby Gilley will administer the oath of office to re-elected Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland alongside returning City Council members Madelyn Scales Harris, Austin Maxwell, and Jami Averwater.

A reception will follow the city ceremony in the City Hall Rotunda. Public comment will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, followed by the regularly scheduled Murfreesboro City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m.

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