Robert Sorrell

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. — Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable announced Monday that he does not plan to run for re-election during the next cycle.

"I have had the high privilege of serving the people of Sullivan County for the last 15 years as mayor, and in other elected and appointed positions for the past 35 years," Venable said in his announcement. "It has been the greatest honor of my public life to have done so, and I want to again thank our citizens for bestowing that honor."

Sullivan County voters will select a new mayor in 2026. The Republican and Democratic party primaries are scheduled in Sullivan County for May 5, 2026. The candidate petition timeframe is Dec. 22, 2025, to Feb. 19, 2026 at noon, according to the Sullivan County Election Commission. The county's ge

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