Editor’s note: The Elk Valley Times will publish candidate announcements and photos as we receive them and as space allows before the July 29, 2026, edition. The election is on Aug. 6, 2026. Announcements should be no longer than 700 words and emailed to lscripps@elkvalleytimes.com. They may be edited for length, grammar, style and content.

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Jenkins is introducing himself to the citizens of Lincoln County as a candidate for commissioner of District 1.

“I am a Christian and put Christ Jesus first in my life and in all that I do,” Jenkins said.

“My next priority is my family — wife, Jennifer; four adult children, Brooke, Brett, Bethany, and Chelsey; and 10 grandchildren. Jennifer and I have been married for 50 years — as of December this year.

“My third priority is our nation.

“I’m telling you this so you will know how I make decisions in every aspect of my life. As a retired soldier of nearly 30 years, which was an honor and privilege, these were the very same priorities I used then when I made life impacting decisions affecting all my soldiers and their families. I firmly believe by adhering to these priorities, my decisions were the best they could be. Did I do everything correctly? Certainly not, but I absolutely tried my best. I expect to undertake this same conviction in the roll of commissioner.”

Jenkins said he was a career Army officer (colonel) specializing in “intelligence collection, analysis,

See Jenkins, Page 4A ^ and dissemination within all aspects of the battlespace around the globe.”

“Moreover, I flew operational missions collecting intelligence by a variety of methods and means,” he said. “I commanded multiple units, at multiple echelons, in numerous countries around the world. I culminated my Army career at Redstone Arsenal as the senior intelligence officer of the Aviation and Missile Command.

“After serving in uniform, I was recalled by the US Government to serve in the US Special Operations Command to initiate the development of special technologies to benefit our Armed Forces. “Subsequently, I served in a civilian capacity as a vice president of two corporations continuing the development of technologies to the benefit of our soldiers and the War Department. After this I moved to Tennessee to raise cattle on my farm ‘His Way Farm.’” Jenkins said he has a degree in business and a master’s degree in administration. He said he is a graduate of the Army War College, and is rated in multiple aircraft, both rotary and fixed wing.

“For the many that I have met, by knocking on your door, it has been my pleasure visiting with and trying to understand your needs,” Jenkins said. “In doing so I have described to you not only my priorities, but also the conservative positions that characterize my life. As mentioned earlier, I am foremost a Christian and believe that life is precious at all stages — conception through death of natural causes at, hopefully, an old age. I believe in privacy and a very limited government. I am a fiscal conservative which ties directly to the size of a small government that is “right sized” for the citizens — with no property tax increases. I cannot stress enough the value of our freedoms (all given by God) and I especially focus on the First, Second, and Tenth Amendments (speech, bear arms, and reservation of rights to the people). As a conservative, I believe we need to ensure and insist that our government actually represents ‘We the People’ and, in so doing, our voting system is the single most important way to do so. I believe our election system (how we vote) is in need of great scrutiny to ensure integrity and that only by hand counting paper ballots can we reasonably expect this to be accomplished. Electronic voting has no place in a ‘fair election’ as every electronic device is susceptible to being hacked.

“In our Republic, indeed any form of government, capitalism is the most ‘freeing’ and ‘advancing’ method of doing good. Our farmers, ranchers, business owners, entrepreneurs of every ilk need government out of the way. It is only through ‘freedom to do’ that our nation flourished. It is only through such freedom that our nation will continue to flourish. Likewise, our government is dependent upon the people being represented by people of the people and not long-term careerist. Term limits are the key,” Jenkins said.

“Lastly, I promise to represent ‘your will, your opinion.’ to the best of my ability. God bless you all!”