So, the City of Knoxville 2015 election lineups are set. Congratulations to George C. Wallace for being unopposed and unchallenged for City Council at Large Seat A and Knoxville Municipal Judge John R. Rosson, Jr who also will enjoy a summer by the pool with a cool drink near his side.
As for Mayor, Mayor Madeline Rogero ended up with token opposition. Buck Cochran, close friend of Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will be her opponent. Here is betting that Rogero gets more than 50% plus 1 vote to win it all on September 29, 2015. I am betting today, before the campaign starts she gets better than 85% of the vote.
The 50% plus 1 vote is a provision of the city election law that doesn’t extend to the City Council races. So much for the courage of the former Knoxville Police Chief Phil Keith. I guess being the hand picked Police Chief of Mayor Victor Ashe didn’t bode well in the opinion polls for Keith.
In City Council at Large Seat B, Incumbent Marshall Stair will face challengers Carly Baskette and Pete Drew, one will be eliminated on September 29, 2015 and the top two will face off in the November 3, 2015 general election.
The fireworks appear brightest in City Council at Large Seat C where Incumbent Finbarr Saunders will face challengers Kelly Absher, Paul Bonovich and David Williams. Again, the top two will advance to the November 3, 2015 general election. I have been told that Williams is the candidate with Republican support. With city races being non partisan, I am not sure how that benefits or hinders his candidacy at this point, it will be interesting to see how the campaigns develop and . I am thinking Absher and Saunders have more of an organization at this point.
In City Council District 5, Incumbent Mark Campen will advance with his challenger Jennifer Mirtes out of the September 29, 2015 district primary race. Campen and Mirtes will then run city wide in a run off in the November 3, 2015 election.
The deadline to chicken out and withdraw your candidacy is June 25, 2015 at NOON. Early Voting begins September 9 and runs through September 24, 2015 with Election Day on September 29, 2015.
The November runoff schedule has early voting on October 14 and runs through October 29, 2014 with Election Day on November 3, 2015.
