This past Thursday at NOON the filing deadline passed for Knox County’s May 1 Primary Elections, the only change that can happen is by this Thursday February 22 at NOON any candidate can withdraw their name.
The Republicans
Knox County Mayor Brad Anders, Glenn Jacobs or Bob Thomas.
This will be an interesting race, Anders and Thomas are both County Commissioners, Anders for 10 years, Thomas for 3. Jacobs is NOT a politician. He is a Businessman, with an insurance agency and co-owning a real estate business with his wife. In addition, he is a WWE Entertainer as the character Kane. In early appearances, Jacobs has proven that he does his homework, understands the issues and is prepared with the answers while working with the public as a servant leader.
Knox County Commission Third District Randy Smith
Not sure if this is an indication that there aren’t any Republicans in the third district or what.
Knox County Commission Seventh District Charles Busler
You would have thought there were at least one Republican in Powell or Halls that would want a $22,000 a year salary for four years, thats almost $90,000 after four years.
Knox County Commission at Large Seat Ten Larsen Jay or Ron Rochelle.
Jay has had a stellar career in film making and his life changed in an accident that nearly took his life. He founded the non profit Random Acts of Flowers. He has laid the ground work for the last year in assembling a campaign team and understands the role of Commissioner and what it takes to move us as a community into the future. Rochelle’s last appearance this past week has him as a negative nancy. He paints the county’s fiscal condition on the brink of collapse. While the current Mayor and Commission have not done what they promised 8 years ago, I doubt its as bad as Rochelle thinks. He clearly doesn’t understand that he is one of 11 and not the savior of the County as a Commissioner.
Knox County Commission at Large Seat Eleven Justin Biggs or Robert Lawrence Smith
Biggs has never been in elected office. His background is a mixture of private sector and currently the Delinquent Tax Administrator for the Knox County Trustees Office. His wife Heather owns a west Knoxville salon. Smith has served 8 years as Commissioner, his election will move Knox County back to a day of privilege for elected officials. Last year, he was under in investigation for a sexual assault allegation here and in December he was pulled over for speeding here but escaped a ticket when he pulled out an old badge from when he was Commissioner a decade ago.
Knox County Trustee Ed Shouse
Shouse will likely return for a second four year term. He has done a good job in reducing cost, especially reducing that huge multi page ad in the Knox News Sentinel and put that money in savings back to the county.
Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler or Lee Tramel
Spangler and Tramel have extensive law enforcement experience. Spangler retired from the Knox County Sheriff’s Department several years ago to pursue a pro fishing career after some time he began a career at Blount County Sheriff’s Office as it’s training director. Spangler has the support of outgoing County Clerk Foster Arnett, causing many to wonder if he wants to be Spangler’s PIO replacing Martha Dooley. Tramel has spent his career at the Knox County Sheriff’s Department. Tramel has been in the trenches in recent years of the opioid epidemic, busting the businesses exploiting the addicted like Big Orange Pawn, Roundup Restaurant and the Used Tire businesses. The shoplifting task force that has put a dent in the crimes that cause retail prices to soar have been because of Tramel’s leadership. There is a difference in law enforcement and law enforcement administration.
Knox County Circuit Court Clerk Bo Bennett, Don Ridings, Scott Smith, Charlie Susano, or Tim Wheeler
Bennett is a former Center City Conservatives Republican Club President for three year, his wife and son own property in Powell. He runs a government software company. Ridings is a businessman that has been running for a long time. He lives in Cumberland Estates. Smith is a Republican State Executive Committeeman, he is an insurance professional and holds a real estate license and lives in Powell. Susano is a delinquent tax collector in the Knox County Trustee Office, his wife and children live in West Knoxville. Wheeler is a licensed Funeral Director who worked a few years in the Knox County Circuit Court Clerk as an Administrator. He lives in North Knoxville.
Knox County Criminal Court Clerk Mike Hammond
Hammond has sealed up the holes that were knocked in the ship of this office and now the interior of the ship has dried out and it is setting sail for smoother sailing.
Knox County Clerk Roger Kane or Sherry Witt
Kane is a three term State Legislator serving Hardin Valley and Karns, he lost a countywide bid for Trustee about 10 years ago. He has recently retired as a insurance agent/agency. Witt has served as Register of Deeds the last 10 years. She runs an excellent office with no adverse audit findings, has an exceptional team that provides great service. With the retiring of Cathy Shanks, Witt is the only countywide Republican lady elected official. She will not require any training for the services the clerk is suppose to provide. Unlike the current Clerk that went several years without realizing he was suppose to collect the hotel/motel tax and had to play catch up for over a year.
Knox County Register of Deeds Steve Hall or Nick McBride
Former City Councilman, Former State Representative Hall is challenging 27 year Register of Deeds employee McBride. Hall and I are friends, I have supported Hall in his previous races. In this one, I will not. McBride is a Graduate of Tusculm College, McBride has worked in Real Estate and 27 years in the Register of Deeds office. McBride is the only person qualified to hold the office after Witt leaves this year.
The Democrats
Knox County Mayor Rebecca Deloa, Rhonda Galman or Linda Haney
I do not know Deloa, I am aware of Galman both of them will represent the Democrat party well on August 2nd facing either Anders, Jacobs or Thomas. I know Linda Haney, if the Democrats select Haney they deserve the ridicule they will receive.
Knox County Commission Third District Cody Biggs
Biggs is the bright shining future of the Knox County Democrats. He is a young businessman and a summer race between he and Smith who is a Knox County Government bureaucrat will be a good decision for the third district.
Knox County Commission Seventh District Steve Hart
Hart was a Knox County Sheriffs Officer and will be a GREAT contrast and comparison between he and Busler.
Knox County Commission at Large Seat Ten Tori Griffin
I do not know Griffin, however, if something happens crazy and Larsen Jay is NOT the Republican nominee than Griffin will get serious consideration especially from Jay’s neighbors in the Rocky Hill area. I live in Concord/Bluegrass.
Knox County Commission at Large Seat Eleven Daniel Gerke
I do not know Gerke, but if Smith were to be the Republican nominee, expect more of the same about Smith’s many law enforcement encounters to be the Summer discussion topic.
Trustee NO CANDIDATE
Knox County Sheriff NO CANDIDATE
Knox County Circuit Court Clerk Sheri Ridgeway
Ridgeway is a Knoxville Attorney, if the Republican candidate is a non conventional candidate than Ridgeway could be the recipient of a lot of crossover Republican support in the summer months. May 2 will tell us a lot. Ridgeway would be a good public servant.
Knox County Criminal Court Clerk NO CANDIDATE
Knox County Clerk NO CANDIDATE
Knox County Register of Deeds NO CANDIDATE
NON Partisan School Boarders
District One: Andre Canty, Dametraus Jaggers or Evetty Satterfield
I have met Satterfield and felt old, she said she graduated from Austin East in 2002 (when I was on the school board), I have briefly met Jaggers and Canty has been a candidate for positions in the past in East Knoxville. If one candidate receives 50% plus one vote, there will not be an August 2 General Election runoff. If no one receives 50% plus 1 vote. The top two will run off on August 2.
District Four: Virginia Babb
Congratulations to Babb who will likely replace Lynne Fugate.
District Six: Joshua Hawk or Terry Hill
I have not met Hawk, he does have a campaign Facebook page and appears ready to give a contested run against first term Hill.
District Seven: Patti Bounds
Congrats to Bounds who will likely return to a second four year term.
District Nine: Kristi Kristy or Amber Rountree
I am hoping for a spirited campaign, Rountree’s first term on the board has been very good for her family. Her husband got a job with the City of Knoxville and is now a Code Enforcements Officer for Knox County, making for than $40,000 a year. While her School Board salary is $26,000 plus per year. Rountree has said she is completing post graduate work at UT.
