Friday was the day to pick up qualifying petitions for one of five City Council petitions. No current member is eligible to seek re-election as the five are term limited. The filing deadline is noon on May 18, 2017, a candidate can withdraw by noon on May 25, 2017. Early Voting begins on August 9, 2017 and runs through August 24, 2017 with the Primary Election on August 29, 2017.
In the primary, two top vote getters will advance to the November General Election. Today’s Knox News Sentinel profiled the known candidates so far.
In the first district, South Knoxville into the UT area have two candidates as of now, Greg Knox a South Knox native and software developer. His comments appear complimentary of where So. Knox is now and wants to work to keep it going in a positive direction. Andrew Wilson, a professed member of the libertarian party in his published comments wants to be a voice for the citizens and let them know that they are heard. Not sure if that is an indication that he feels they haven’t been heard.
David Williams, a neighborhood activist answers questions.
In the second district, Democrat Attorney Andrew Roberto, who has served as a member of the Knox County Election Commission and has not been afraid to attend Republican events in his role on the Election Commission. A trait that may serve him well in a non partisan position on Council. Wayne Christiansen who retired after 20 years as executive director of Knox Youth Sports doesn’t really give an idea of his campaign with some general statements to the news sentinel of wanting to give back. David Williams, an active Pond Gap resident and math tutor ran for an at large position in 2015 and has not stopped visiting organizations, groups and has continually been engaged in seeking public comments and being useful to citizens in the city.
Steve Williams, Attorney and Advertiser on BrianHornback.Com and James Corcoran, Candidate for State Representative District 18
In the third district, James Corcoran, a Knoxville Attorney that ran a respectable and competitive campaign in challenging State Rep. Martin Daniel this past summer. Corcoran with a local legal practice and wife and young son and daughter may have found the best job being that of local elected position, one that is closest to the people. Corcoran told the News Sentinel about working with the city government to assist businesses and neighborhoods to make our city better. Jody Mullins, a neighborhood activist discussed with the News Sentinel the neighborhoods being the heart and soul of the city and working for neighborhoods.
In the fourth district, Lauren Rider, a librarian at the Pellissippi State Division Street campus talks about the success of downtown and wanting to bring it into the North Knoxville fourth district. Rider is said to be the candidate being supported by former one term State Representative Gloria Johnson and former Commissioner Amy Broyles. Harry Tindell, a former State Representative from 1990-2012 for the same area that he now seeks a city council seat and a before 1990 served as a former Second District Knox County School Board position which includes much of the fourth city council district. His expertise in dealing with state government may bode well for the city as a majority of the council changes and a mayoral change in two years.
Michael Covington talking with County Commissioner Dave Wright and Property Assessor candidate John Whitehead
In the sixth district, Michael Covington an industrial consultant and community activist in east knoxville since 2014 pledges to work to bring similar leadership to the sixth district that has been enjoyed by other districts. It is a similar theme to his platform as a competitive candidate for first district Knox County Commission in 2016. No one loves east knoxville and possesses the passion for it that Covington has and does. David Gillette, a community activist told the News Sentinel that the will raise the bar with encouraging the community. On face value that seems to be a slap at the current City Councilman Dan Brown, who also served as Mayor between the departure of now Governor Bill Haslam and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. Shawnee Rios been in Knoxville about 6 years is active in several organizations. She told the News Sentinel that she wants to be a voice for District 6 and a representative for them. It begs to question, is that an indictment that Dan Brown has not been?
As more candidates surface, we will update you.
