On WATE‘s Tennessee This Week, Host Don Hudson set up the final discussion and it was on Knoxville Municipal Judge John Rosson, Jr. and his term and lack of opponents the past 20 years. Panelist George Korda and Craig Griffith said Judge is a solid Jurists and a change in State Law, City Code would be required for Judge term limits. Then enter Cortney Piper, (former failed Democrat candidate for Knox County Commission) who disclosed she has contributed to one of Judge Rosson’s opponents. The 31 year old, who according to his own disclosure to Knoxville Bar Association has only tried three cases, read my July 5, 2023 story here (includes a link to KBA survey).
Two things Piper said that (in my humble opinion) is desperation campaign tactics from the candidate/campaign she has contributed too. She said the position of Knoxville Municipal Judge is someone “that can get you out of parking tickets, dirty lot tickets, citations and that sort of thing”. She went on to opine the reason this many challengers have emerged is the driving incident in Middle Tennessee where Judge Rosson was driving up the wrong side of an interstate exit ramp. Judge answered that he was stuck in deadlocked traffic, he needed to use the restroom. He informed the officer of his reason and Judge was cited for driving the wrong way on an exit ramp.
Let’s take on the second first, the filing deadline was May 18, 2023 for the City of Knoxville Election. On April 3, 2023 a former Knoxville Mayor wrote here about Rosson’s opponent, Marshal Jensen who ultimately opted not to run. On April 20, 2023 KnoxNews Reporter T. Dale Whetstone wrote here about the February 28 (two months after) incident of the Judge traffic stop and citation. April 23, 2023, former Mayor wrote here how Jensen wasn’t gonna run. On May 30, 2023 former Mayor wrote here how Jensen settled for Treasurer, not Judge.
Jensen out on April 23, 2023 (three days after Whetstone’s story) Judge picked up his petition on March 27, 2023. Andrew Beamer picked up his petition on May 3, 2023. Piper’s candidate picked up his petition on May 8, 2023. Mary Ward picked up her petition on May 17, 2023.
As to Piper’s assertion, that this position is one that gets you out of tickets, citations, what have you. Do you want a 31 year old Attorney who has only by his own admission tried three cases? I think NOT. Judge Rosson is qualified, if you are looking for an alternative. Rosson’s other two opponents Andrew Beamer and Mary Ward are far more qualified than the 31 year old.
If Piper’s standards is a traffic stop, than why not have all candidates reveal each and every traffic stop they have had with dash and body camera footage.
