Before I offer my thoughts on who should get your vote and why, here is the basic information about when and where to vote:
If you are not sure which voting district you should be voting in check here [1]
Early voting ends on April 27th
Early voting locations are listed here [2]
If you’re not voting early, the Primary election will be held on May 2nd
Voting locations are listed here [3]My recommendations in both the Democratic and Republican primaries appear after the jump...
If you’re voting in the Democratic Primary, my suggestions for candidates that deserve your vote include:
Sheriff: Randy Tyree (write-in)
In the event that Sheriff Hutchison is unable to serve a 5th term, we need a candidate to face the Republican replacement candidate, who will surely be handpicked by the Sheriff. Write in Randy Tyree.
Chancery Court Judge: Jim Andrews (write-in)
Mr. Andrews is a highly competent lawyer and solid judicial candidate. Andrews came within a couple of thousand votes in his bid to be Sheriff last election. If Andrews gets sufficient votes to be placed on the General Election ballot in August, he would face Mike Moyers. Moyers is the current County law director and is responsible, in my opinion, for allowing the term limits issue to lie dormant for too long, leaving us in our current mess. By his inaction he failed to bring an important legal issue to a timely resolution. Write in Jim Andrews.
Criminal Court Judge, Div II: Ken Irvine
Ken is a personal friend of mine but more importantly one of the best legal minds I have known. He’s been a prosecutor, appeals court law clerk, high dollar defense lawyer AND a public defender. Fair minded and firm, Ken would bring these attributes to the responsibilities of criminal court judge.
County Commission:
1A: Stephen Dupree (write-in)
A gadfly of the first order. Commission needs the irreverence and vigilance Steve Dupree would bring to the County’s business. Write in Dupree.
2B: Jonathan Wimmer (write-in)
An active member of the community, Wimmer would replace a term limited commission member on the General Election ballot if he receives enough votes. Write in Wimmer.
2A: Mark Harmon
3B: Colvin Idol (write-in)
Idol’s probably best known as a radio personality from the glory days of Rock 104. He’s since been active in the community as a fund raiser for good causes like the Sexual Abuse Assault Crisis Center and PBS. He would face Ivan Harmon if he receives enough write ins. Harmon is the Commissioner that we can thank for the last introduction of “God is the foundation of our Country” resolution. Merits of the resolution aside, it’s not the sort of controversial fight that Commission needs to spend time on. Write in Colvin Idol.
For a sample ballot if you will be voting in the Democrat Primary including write-in’s http://knoxcounty.org/election/pdfs/writein_democrat.pdf [4]
If you’re voting in the Republican Primary, my suggestions for candidates that deserve your vote include:
Public Defender: Mark Stephens
Though he’s running unopposed, Mark is the best defender we could hope for in his position as Public Defender and he is doing a nearly thankless job. Vote for him simply as a show of appreciation for doing a difficult and necessary service for the community.
County Executive: Mike Ragsdale
Ragsdale has done a satisfactory job in the last four years. Steve Hall, who just ran for re-election to City Council a short few months ago, is a basic aginner with few positive ideas for Knox County.
General Sessions Court Judge: Andrew Jackson VI
I have been on the other side of the courtroom against Andy Jackson since I began as a criminal defense attorney 15 years ago. He’s fair and efficient in his dealings. I’ve never observed him “giving a case away” or being harsh beyond what was deserved in a case because of politics or personal favor. He has experience above his opponents and integrity to be impartial if elected Sessions Court Judge.
County Commission seat 7A: James McMillan
Mary Lou Horner is term limited. A vote for McMillan, the farmer that faced off County Commission on stormwater issues, is a vote for integrity and common sense.
County Commission 9: David Kiger
Pinkston, the incumbent opponent, is a classic aginner who voted down the rehabilitation of a historic South Knoxville school for no good reason. After he killed the deal, which was years in the works, he forced a second bid to go out. The result, no takers. No one wants to do business with arbitrary government and Pinkston exemplifies that in a district that needs some leadership, especially as the waterfront projects take off in the next few years.
For a sample ballot if you will be voting Republican Primary including write-in’s
http://knoxcounty.org/election/pdfs/writein_republican.pdf [5]
Thanks for taking time to read and consider my comments. Whatever you do in this election, please vote.
Scott Carpenter