Tue
Apr 5 2016
10:14 pm

Any insight on any of these? I have never heard of Burkhardt or Thomas.

From Shopper News ...

All the candidates listed are Republicans. Democratic Party chair Cameron Brooks says so far no Democrats have expressed interest in the office..

Prospects for county mayor

R. Neal's picture

Thomas

Sandra Clark's picture

Update

Mike Hammond contacted Bean today saying he was out of town on Friday. He said he's not decided whether to run for county mayor. It would surprise me if he runs, but a clerk's job is like Groundhog Day.

A lot of folks are already gearing up for 2018. Sherry Witt, term-limited for Register of Deeds, may run for County Clerk (where Foster Arnett is term-limited). Lee Tramel and Tom Spangler are two of maybe a half-dozen guys who are running for sheriff.

I remember when Tim Hutchison first ran. He was a young , little-known lieutenant who bested several better known and higher ranking guys. There may be another little Tim lurking around out there.

reform4's picture

Lee Tramel

I'll have to add that I've been impressed with my discussions with Lee- on issues like drug treatment vs. incarceration, drugs being linked to mental health issues, and questions about marijuana as a much less harmful drug vs. alcohol and more serious drugs, I'll have to say that Lee "gets it." And watching him at the Safety Center committee meeting, he's not afraid to say the right things in public, either.

If you discuss these issues with him, he almost sounds like a damn Democrat.

(Until you look at his Facebook page, LOL).

Sandra Clark's picture

A deputy told me

that Lee really pushed J.J. to install body cams on deputies --

Greg Mackay's picture

Lee

Lee Tramel is as good a man as I have ever known.

GDrinnen2's picture

Lee is a damn fine man.

Lee is a damn fine man.

Bad Candidate's picture

Is Thomas the Metro Mayor?

Bob Thomas does not have a college degree. Bob Thomas has never had a contested race for office nor finished a complete term in office and he runs for County Mayor? What message does that send to kids in school? He'll probably run on education.

Past County Executives

Judge Howard Bozeman – law degree

Dwight Kessel - engineering degree

Tommy Shumpert – BA and Masters

Mike Ragsdale – Ph.d in Education

Tim Burchett - BA

KnoxTopia's picture

Never heard of Bob Thomas?

Any insight on any of these? I have never heard of Burkhardt or Thomas.

I am a bit amazed that someone in a local political forum never heard of Bob Thomas before.

His fascist talk radio show must have been less memorable than expected. He would be a disaster as a Mayor of anything, just as every radio station he worked for is now defunct. There are exceptions of course, since the one still in business got rid of him before they were destroyed.

Discovering on this thread that he hasn't graduated from anything either should not be a surprise.

New to this forum, sorry for the bummer-toned first post.

concerned's picture

Bob Thomas, the Haslam guy

(link...)

Will there be someone not owned by the Haslam's to run for county Mayor?

Dante's Beatrice's picture

Meet Dean Bob

Bad Candidate listed the educational records of past county executives. I know the office is now called county mayor but I prefer county executive. I claim OFP...(Old Fart's Privilege)

Judge Howard Bozeman – law degree
Dwight Kessel - engineering degree
Tommy Shumpert – BA and Masters
Mike Ragsdale – Ph.d in Education
Tim Burchett - BA

BC's list demonstrates a pretty impressive set of educational credentials. Having a degree (and graduate degree) does not guarantee good character or honesty.I can testify to that, as can the conduct of some on this list. Having said that,a degree does indicate a familiarity with higher education and perhaps gives our new county executive a better perspective on the challenges of education in our community.We will soon have a new Director of Schools.In essence we will have a new school board..We will have(at least) four new county commissioners.Things are changing quickly.This is not the time for OJT or puppet politics...Personal honesty and transparency are equally vital for a county executive. These may actually be more important than a degree..Our best county executives have had both. There is no reason to expect or accept less now. We should never accept a candidate who has neither

Well, let us look a the record of Bob Thomas..
On his IMdb file he lists his birthday as March 1, 1965
(link...).
That does not appear to be true.Bob Thomas’s real birth date appears to be March 1, 1954.

Go to Bob's demo reel below and click on his bio.He implies that he finished college ..."went through college"
(link...)

Bob's county commission summary declares he did not finish college.
(link...)

Which is true and what is his birthday?.....Maybe this is all Hollywood star dust and posturing.No call back on this one Bob.
We need honesty and transparency, educational preparation, legitimate political experience, and significant public financial experience.

Bob Thomas
--BIG Hollywood career,
-- right wing talk radio show
---uncontested trip to county commission for one whole year (or so)
--encouraged and groomed to be the next GOP Haslam Pinocchio

However, in all honesty,I must admit that Bob is a Dean.That's right he is a a Dean...... Mayor Bob is a Dean.....
... .Well, see for yourself.
Go back to the demo reel below and click on his theatrical reel.It may take a while to load, but trust me, it is worth it.You will meet Dean Bob
(link...)

concerned's picture

I am hearing Bob Thomas

I am hearing Bob Thomas already has this race wrapped up. He is as popular with Democrat's as Republican's. Which I don't get. How does that work?

Bad Candidate's picture

Metro Bob

"How does that work?"

Bob lives in the City. I knew when Courtney Piper supported Metro Bob on "Tennessee this Week" what it is all about.

(link...)

Minute 21:30

Bob Thomas is the great Metro hope. Courtney Piper said "He seems like he can fit the bill." A guy with maybe one quarter of college who made his career on country music radio and then right wing talk radio.

Get this, he claimed he worked "alongside" for several months with Stephen Spielberg and the license plate frame on his car says "Beverly Hills Mercedes". A regular man of the people. Bob's great. Just ask him.

It gets even better. Guess who his Chief of Staff will be? Ed Brantley, another career on country music radio and then right wing talk radio. This administration will be called, "Hee, Haw".

Bad Candidate's picture

Metro Bob just got some bad news

It's Smack Down for Metro Bob. And Metro Mike and Metro Brad can't be feeling very good either.

(link...)

Glenn "Kane" Jacobs mulls run at Knox Co. mayoral seat

KNOXVILLE - Professional Wrestler Glenn Jacobs is looking to throw his hat into a new type of arena: the political one.
Jacobs, who wrestlers under the handle “Kane,” said he is "seriously considering" a run as a Republican for the Knox County mayoral seat in 2018, but will make a final decision after the upcoming presidential election toward the end of the year.

fischbobber's picture

Anders

Anders could run as either Republican or Democrat. It would appear that he is a common sense moderate committed to sound government. This is not to say I'm supporting his candidacy, but rather an acknowledgment that his integrity and operational knowledge would seem to give him an early edge.

Edit: I had a brain fart and was thinking of Lee Trammel, not Brad Anders. That is not to say negative about Anders, just that my old-timers hit. This race is still way early.

jbr's picture

Not a fan of many of Anders

Not a fan of many of Anders votes on County Commission.

The only time I have heard of Tramel is he seemed very involved in "Black Wednesday."

REMEMBERING BLACK WEDNESDAY

Georgiana Vines: Tramel lays foundation for run as Knox sheriff

reform4's picture

Lee

Lee's been involved and very proud of setting up KCSO with body cameras on all patrol officers. Ask the City how far they are along with their body cameras.

Lee Tramel is also a heavy supporter of the safety center and getting people picked up for heavy drugs into treatment, not just locking them up in jail to have them come back. I wouldn't be surprised if you could get him to openly support PSH (and a few other R's that opposed it when it first came up).

As far as the mayor's candidates go, until we have a more balanced set of voters, or more 'D' turnout, the Republicans have no incentive to offer really strong candidates. Having a good County Mayor will remain a matter of luck.

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