James William Macon III is running as an independent for U.S. Senate in Tennessee. He is certified for the general election ballot, according to BallotReady election data.
Macon said he is not a career politician. He described himself as a husband, father, business leader, community servant and problem-solver who has spent more than two decades leading complex organizations and managing billion-dollar budgets, according to his Civoren candidate questionnaire.
Candidate information
- Office sought: U.S. Senate - Tennessee
- Party: Independent
- Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
- Ballot status: Certified for the ballot
Experience and public service
Macon has held roles in media and corporate procurement. He worked at CBS News/WBBM Chicago from 2000 to 2001 and as a network video editor at CNN from 2002 to 2004, according to BallotReady profile data. He later served as operations manager at Williams Sonoma from 2006 to 2012.
Macon then moved into the medical-device industry. He worked as director of indirect sourcing at Wright Medical from 2019 to 2020. He held the title of director of indirect procurement at Stryker Careers beginning in 2020, according to BallotReady. He has also listed employment at Medtronic, according to his Civoren response.
On the issues
Campaign finance: Macon said he does not accept contributions or donations. "I believe elected officials should spend more time listening to citizens than dialing for dollars," he said in his Civoren questionnaire response.
He has no party backing.
Campaign platform: Macon said his campaign focuses on restoring accountability, strengthening oversight and checks and balances, and improving education and healthcare outcomes, according to his Civoren response. He also listed supporting economic growth, protecting homeownership, strengthening agriculture, reducing poverty and pursuing long-term fiscal responsibility as priorities.
Other candidates in the race
The following candidates are also certified for the race, according to BallotReady:
- Bill Hagerty (Republican)
- Marquita Bradshaw (Democratic)
- Andrew Gerena (Independent)
- Catherine Barcel Whitson (Independent)
- David Sutman Jr. (Independent)
- Jeremy Dean Hearn (Independent)
- Robert Jones (Independent)
- Tharon Chandler (Independent)
- Yoshi D. Matthews (Independent)
Candidate positions and biography are drawn from Macon's Civoren questionnaire response and BallotReady profile data. The Brentwood-Nolensville Record does not endorse candidates.
