Commissioner Randy Bales Announces Candidacy For Jefferson County Mayor

Randy Bales

After much thought and consideration, I am excited to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Jefferson County. I will be seeking election in the Republican primary on May 5, 2026. Serving as County Commissioner for the seventh district has been an honor, and I am grateful for the experience and the lessons I have learned while representing the people of the district for the past three terms.

As mayor, I will focus on being fiscally responsible while also addressing the need to improve our infrastructure to meet the demands of growth. I will work to attract industries to our existing facilities, helping to relieve the burden of rising property taxes and providing good-paying jobs for our citizens. I will also continue to advocate for our farmers, who remain vital to our county’s identity and economy.

I am a lifelong resident of Jefferson County and a proud member of the Republican Party. I am the youngest son of Guy Carlisle and Beulah Bales and grew up on our family farm in New Market. My father was raised on a farm on Quarry Road in New Market—a farm that has been in the Bales family since the late 1800s and remains in family ownership today. My wife, Traci, and I have been married for 24 years, and together we have three grown sons: John Tyler (21), Lucas (21), and Tucker (20). My work history includes Old Dominion Freight Lines, seven years in the finance industry, and Arconic (formerly Alcoa Aluminum). For the past 15 years, I have owned and operated a small welding and fabrication shop in New Market.

During my time on the County Commission, I have served on numerous committees, including the Animal Control Oversight Board, the Opioid Board, Long Range Planning Committee, Budget Committee, Public Service Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, Conservation Board, and most recently the Regional Planning Commission. These experiences have given me valuable insight into both the challenges and opportunities facing our county.

Jefferson County is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. By working together with a common-sense approach and steady leadership, I believe we can keep it that way while preparing for a strong future.

I humbly ask for your support and your vote on May 5, 2026.