RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS News) - U.S. Army veteran and longtime public servant Jeff McKinney has officially announced his candidacy for Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk. McKinney will appear on the ballot in the May 5th Republican Primary, stepping forward after decades of service both in uniform and within the local justice system.

McKinney, who has lived in Rutherford County since before his middle‑school years, and currently serves as part of the 16th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. He works with District Attorney Jennings Jones and has been involved in efforts to support justice and public safety across Rutherford and Cannon counties. Before that, he served in the U.S. Army, an experience he says shaped his commitment to service and integrity.

“As a member of our armed forces, I was honored to help keep America safe,” McKinney said. “As part of the 16th Judicial District’s office, I was proud to help keep Rutherford Countians safe and deliver justice. Now, I’m humbly seeking the opportunity to protect taxpayers and restore confidence in the Circuit Clerk’s Office.”

McKinney emphasized that his campaign is rooted in a desire to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability to an office that plays a crucial role in how justice moves through the courts. He noted that Rutherford County’s rapid growth has placed new demands on local systems, and he believes the Clerk’s Office must keep pace.

“My goal is simple — to bring much‑needed change and make the Circuit Clerk’s Office more accessible, efficient, and responsive to both the judicial community and the public,” he said. “This office matters to everyday citizens who rely on it for fairness, efficiency, and respect.”

McKinney and his wife, Amy, attend World Outreach Church and have called Rutherford County home for more than forty years. He describes himself not as a politician, but as someone who believes government should operate with honesty, compassion, and respect for the people it serves.