Listen to Podcast Above: Rutherford County, TN is officially one of the TOP 50 fastest-growing counties in the nation and the fastest-growing in Tennessee. With this explosive growth comes a critical question: Who is best prepared to lead? Join host Scott Walker on the WGNS Action Line for a high-stakes political forum featuring the three candidates vying for the Republican nomination in the 2026 mayoral race. Again, this is the race to lead Rutherford County, TN.
In this essential debate, we hear from:
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Joe Carr: The incumbent Rutherford County Mayor, who highlighted his experience in managing a record $64 million budgeted deficit that he says was inherited from previous administrations. Mayor Carr then taloked about his commitment to fiscal stability without raising property taxes.
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Craig Harris: Current County Commissioner and Chairman of the Rutherford County Opioid Board (ROB), who emphasizes his business-oriented approach as a CEO, focusing on revenue generation and infrastructure that keeps pace with growth.
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Randy Allen: Chief Operations Officer of the Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity, who brings a perspective focus on affordable housing, community development, and addressing "quality of life" issues like the regional landfill and traffic congestion.
From the urgent need for a new $340+ million adult detention facility to the complexities of the gas tax formula and the 287(g) ICE agreement, no topic is off-limits. This is your chance to hear the candidates' specific plans for the county's infrastructure, school funding, and first responder pay before the May primary.
Listen (by clicking play above our podcast description) to discover which candidate has the vision to navigate Rutherford County’s unprecedented growth.
- Note: This show aired LIVE on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 8:15 AM.
