Betsy Henderson

Betsy Henderson is a Republican candidate running for Knox County Mayor in the May 5, 2026, primary election in Knox County, Tennessee [18]. She is currently serving as a member of the Knox County Board of Education, representing District 6, a seat she assumed in 2020 and won re-election to in August 2022 [1]. During her tenure on the school board, Henderson served as its chair [5]. She is a native East Tennessean who grew up in Louisville, Tennessee, attended Maryville City Schools, and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville [6]. She resides in Hardin Valley with her husband, Scott, and their two children, Logan and Molly [6].

Henderson’s political career began after she moved to Washington, D.C., in the week following the September 11, 2001 attacks to work for Congressman Jimmy Duncan [11]. She later returned to Knox County, where she was elected to the school board in 2020 [6]. Her time on the board has been marked by conservative policy positions. She advocated for keeping schools open during the COVID-19 pandemic, opposing mask mandates, and supporting law enforcement presence in schools [4]. In January 2025, she testified before a Tennessee Senate committee in support of Governor Bill Lee’s universal school voucher plan [5]. While she identified herself as the board chair during testimony, she stated she was speaking in her individual capacity; this action drew criticism from Knox County Commissioner Terry Hill and prompted a petition with over 1,700 signatures calling for Henderson’s removal from the board [8].

Henderson officially launched her campaign for Knox County Mayor in May 2025, following the appointment of Zane Duncan as her campaign treasurer in March of that year [5]. Her platform emphasizes fiscal restraint, specifically pledging to oppose any tax increases on families [5]. She also prioritizes supporting small businesses, improving roads and schools, and protecting personal freedoms [4]. In the mayoral race, she faces Republican opponents Kim Frazier and Larsen Jay, as well as Democratic candidate Beau Hawk in the general election [11]. Henderson has claimed support from U.S. Representative Tim Burchett, though his campaign stated he had not made an official endorsement [16].

Sources

• [1] Betsy Henderson - Ballotpedia
• [4] Betsy Henderson for Mayor
• [5] Betsy Henderson launches Knox County mayoral campaign | wbir.com
• [6] Betsy Henderson - Partners in Education Foundation
• [8] Betsy Henderson taps campaign treasurer in move toward running for Knox County mayor | wbir.com
• [9] Knox County school board member Betsy Henderson announces mayoral run
• [11] Meet your candidates for Knox County Mayor - Knox TN Today
• [13] Knox County school board member Betsy Henderson eyeing mayoral run
• [14] Publisher’s Positions | The Knoxville Focus
• [15] Knox County Mayoral Candidates on Public Safety, the Economy and Growth | WIVK-FM
• [16] Knox County mayor candidate Betsy Henderson touts Burchett endorsement; his camp says no official backing
• [17] 'Not acceptable behavior' | Former KCS chair condemns current chair after she touted universal school vouchers in TN legislature | wbir.com
• [18] Knox County School Board Chair Betsy Henderson Launches Bid for Knox County Mayor
• [20] Betsy Henderson - Knox County (Tenn.) Board of Education (Dec. 2020-), Board Member, District 6 - Biography | LegiStorm