KNOXVILLE, TENN. – Matthew Park announces campaign to represent the 9th District on Knox County Commission. Matthew will run in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 and will face the Republican nominee on the Thursday, August 1, 2024 County General ballot.
“Our County Commission has been absent from addressing the issues of the affordable housing crisis and assisting first-time home buyers. Our policies have done little to protect our farms and grow our agricultural sector. We have done little to ensure that our emergency services are the best in the state and that our first responders have the best pay possible. On County Commission, I will focus on policies that promote and invest in affordable housing, assistance programs for first-time home buyers, establishing farm preservation initiatives, and equipping our first responders.
In the Knox County this campaign envisions, you will be able to find an affordable place to live. you will be able to buy a home for the first time. Knox County will be the best place in Tennessee to be a farmer and will showcase our resources with robust agritourism. In our Knox County, when you call 911 for a medical emergency, the paramedic or EMT that shows up to your home will be paid a fair living wage and have the training and equipment they need,” Matthew said while speaking to supporters Wednesday night.
About District 9
District 9 is the most eclectic area of Knox County. It is geographically diverse, ranging from the urbanized South Waterfront and University of Tennessee campus in the north to the rural hills of Knox County in the south, the Seven Islands State Birding Park along the French Broad River Corridor in the east to Alcoa Highway and the Tennessee River in the West.
About Matthew Park
Matthew is an executive at a technology consulting company focusing on generative artificial intelligence, healthcare, and cloud technology. Prior to starting his career in the technology industry, Matthew was an EMT at Rural Metro (now AMR), cementing his passion for our first responders.
Matthew co-founded ChangeTN, a progressive political action committee, in 2020 with Drew Dison to advocate for progress across Tennessee and support candidates running for office.
With Matthew stepping away from ChangeTN, that work continues with the ChangeTN board and officers who have been fighting for progress across Tennessee these past four years.
Matthew and his husband, Jordan, live in Island Home Park, where he is President of the Island Home Park Neighborhood Association (IHPNA). As President of IHPNA, Matthew has focused on supporting sustainable growth within the character of South Knoxville’s neighborhoods, advocating for bank preservation along the Tennessee River, and building working relationships with neighborhood partners and those investing in the community.
In his non-profit work, Matthew is Vice-President of the Two Bikes Board of Directors. Two Bikes is a non-profit based in Knoxville that focuses on promoting the benefits of bicycles, diverting bicycles from landfills, and creating youth workforce development opportunities that pay youth a living wage.
Matthew is a board member of the Friends of Downtown Island Airport (FODIA) where he continues to advocate for improved public access, STEM facilities, creation of a public park, and reducing noise in and around Downtown Island Airport.
