Two Lakeland commission seats are up for grabs in the Nov. 3 election, with three candidates vying for the spots.
Early voting lasts until Oct. 29. There are several convenient early voting locations near Lakeland
, including sites in Bartlett, Cordova, and Arlington. Registered Shelby County voters can cast their ballots at any early voting location in the county. To find all locations and voting hours, visit GoVoteTN.gov.Healthcare professional Lindsey Reap, University of Tennessee Extension Lone Oaks Farm Director Jeremy Burnett, and Lakedra’s Chance Wildlife Rescue & Education founder Heather Ann Long are all looking to earn votes as one of two new commissioners on the Lakeland Board of Commissioners.
Here's a closer look at each candidate's
background and goals, in their own words, compiled by a questionnaire submitted to each candidate by The Commercial Appeal.
Lindsey Reap
What is your background and what you do for a living?
I am a third-generation Lakeland resident and have called this community home for 37 years. My husband and I are raising our three children here, all of whom attend Lakeland Preparatory School.
Professionally, I am a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus in Executive Leadership from Vanderbilt University. I have more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, including emergency medicine and pediatric oncology leadership. My career has taught me the importance of thoughtful decision-making, accountability, collaboration and putting people first. Those are the same principles I would bring to serving our community as a commissioner.
Have you ever been involved in politics or the local community, and if so, what is your background in it?
While this is my first time running for elected office, community involvement has always been important to me. I have served on Lakeland's Community Advisory Board as an at-large member since 2024, which has allowed me to become more involved in local issues and better understand the responsibilities and opportunities facing our city.
As a lifelong resident, a parent of three Lakeland students, and someone raising a family here, my connection to this community extends well beyond public service. I have a personal investment in Lakeland's future and want to help ensure it remains a place where families can put down roots, businesses can thrive, and future generations can be proud to call home.
Why did you decide to run for Lakeland commissioner?
I decided to run because I care deeply about Lakeland's future and believe this is an important time to be engaged in the decisions shaping our community. Our schools, quality of life, and sense of community are important reasons people choose to live here, and I want to help protect those qualities while positioning Lakeland for continued success.
I support thoughtful, responsible growth that recognizes what makes Lakeland special while allowing our city to continue moving forward. I also believe residents deserve transparent leadership, clear communication, and accountability in how decisions are made. I wanted to step forward, contribute my professional experience, and be part of helping Lakeland navigate its next chapter.
Why should the people of Lakeland elect you commissioner?
I would bring a combination of lifelong community ties, professional leadership experience, and a genuine commitment to Lakeland's future. My background in healthcare leadership has taught me how to evaluate complex issues, listen to different perspectives, work collaboratively, and make decisions with long-term consequences in mind.
I also understand that representing a community means listening to people whose opinions may differ from your own. I have received support from residents with different political perspectives, and I believe that reflects something important: local government should be about what is best for Lakeland. My focus is on supporting our schools, encouraging responsible growth and a strong business community, preserving our quality of life and ensuring residents have confidence in their local government.
If elected, I would approach the role with an open mind, a willingness to ask questions, and a commitment to making informed, responsible decisions in the best interest of the entire community.
If elected, what things would you want the board to focus on to improve the Lakeland area?
I would like to see the board maintain a strong focus on responsible growth. As Lakeland continues to evolve, we must carefully evaluate development decisions, infrastructure needs, and long-term impacts to ensure growth is sustainable and consistent with the character of our community.
Our schools are an important part of Lakeland's identity and a major consideration for families choosing to live here. I want to support the continued success of our schools and recognize the important relationship between educational excellence and our city’s future.
A healthy business community contributes to Lakeland's long-term stability and vitality. We should encourage responsible commercial development, support opportunities for existing businesses, and create an environment where businesses can succeed while complementing our community.
Growth should not come at the expense of the community character that residents value. We should remain attentive to infrastructure, public spaces, neighborhood needs, and the small-town sense of community that makes Lakeland home.
Residents deserve to understand how decisions are made, how public resources are used, and how those decisions affect the city's future. I believe clear communication, responsible stewardship, and meaningful community engagement should remain priorities for the board.
Jeremy Burnett
What is your background or what you do for a living?
I have worked in higher education for 25-plus years, including 23 years at Southwest Tennessee Community College in several roles of progressive responsibility, first as a faculty member, with the last seven as a Dean. Now I work for UT Extension as the director of Lone Oaks Farm.
Have you ever been involved in politics or the local community, and if so, what is your background in it?
I have served on the Lakeland School Board since 2019 and currently serve as the vice chair. I have also served on Lakeland’s Industrial Development Board from 2019 to 2022.
Why did you decide to run for Lakeland commissioner?
Our city is on the right track for supporting our schools, economic growth and infrastructure development. I want to continue the path started by the majority of the current board.
Why should the people of Lakeland elect you commissioner?
I have a history of being a part of good work on the Lakeland Board of Education, including completing the K-12 system with the funding and construction of the high school, the funding and construction of the school sports complex and numerous policy initiatives for the betterment of school operations in the areas of academics, co-curricular operations, safety and student discipline.
If elected, what are the things you want the board to focus on to improve the Lakeland area?
Continued focus on fully supporting our incredibly successful school system, which one of my opponents sued to stop from being completed.
Working to ensure the current TIF (Tax Increment Financing) supported projects are as successful as possible through creating a culture of a business-supportive environment, balanced with high expectations for those businesses. Mostly, to work with all of our elected leaders in Lakeland, our county commissioners and state officials to take full advantage of opportunities to keep moving Lakeland forward.
Heather Ann Long
What is your background and what do you do for a living?
My background includes veterinary care, sales, insurance, and business partnerships. I have a degree in veterinary technology and previously worked as a licensed veterinary nurse. Most recently, I worked in pet insurance, and am P&C licensed in all 50 states. I help Allstate insurance agents and business partners educate their customers and grow their businesses. Throughout my career, my work has centered on listening, solving problems, and building relationships.
Have you ever been involved in politics or the local community, and if so, what is your background in it?
My involvement has primarily been through community service rather than elected office.
I founded Lakedra’s Chance Wildlife Rescue & Education and have dedicated years to rescuing wildlife and educating people about the animals around us. I have also volunteered at Southern Reins, which provides equine-assisted services for people with disabilities. Those experiences reflect something important to me: compassion should lead to action.
Why did you decide to run for Lakeland commissioner?
I’m running because I care about Lakeland and want residents to have a stronger voice in decisions affecting our community. We can welcome thoughtful growth while protecting the natural beauty and community character that make Lakeland special. I want to bring a practical, fiscally conservative approach to city government, with clear communication and accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent.
Why should the people of Lakeland elect you commissioner?
I would bring honesty, compassion, and a willingness to ask questions and do the homework before voting. My professional experience has taught me how to listen to different perspectives, work through challenges, and build productive relationships.
I believe residents deserve representatives who are approachable, explain their decisions, and follow through. My commitments are simple: be real, be accountable, and be honest. I would evaluate proposals on their merits and make decisions based on what serves Lakeland and its residents.
If elected, what are the things you want the board to focus on to improve the Lakeland area?
I would like the board to focus on responsible spending, better communication with residents, and thoughtful planning for growth.
Before approving major commitments, we should understand the full cost, including future maintenance, infrastructure needs, and potential effects on taxes. Residents should have clear information and meaningful opportunities to ask questions before decisions are made.
I support economic development that benefits our community. That includes carefully evaluating how we move existing projects forward, encouraging viable businesses, and making sure roads, public services, and infrastructure can support growth. Protecting green space and Lakeland’s natural character should also be part of that planning.
My goal is a community that grows responsibly, spends wisely, and keeps residents involved.
Jacob Wilt is a business, real estate and retail reporter for The Commercial Appeal.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Meet 3 candidates running for Lakeland commission in Nov. 3 election
