{"age":59,"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDavid Amburn is a Republican candidate running for Knox County Sheriff in the May 5, 2026 primary election [7]. He currently serves as the Chief of Detectives for the Knox County Sheriff's Office (KCSO), a position to which he was promoted by Sheriff Tom Spangler in 2021 [6]. Amburn has served with KCSO for 34 years, rising through the ranks from his start as a correctional officer at the old Penal Farm in 1992 [6]. His career history includes assignments in patrol, investigations, narcotics, special investigations, property crimes, major crimes, and homeland security [6]. He also established the Sheriff's Office Fleet Program in 1995 and currently serves as its administrator, overseeing approximately 500 vehicles [6]. Under his leadership, the KCSO Narcotics Unit was named the Tennessee Narcotics Officers Association 2024 Narcotics Unit of the Year [3].\n\nAmburn filed to run for sheriff after the death of Chief Deputy Bernie Lyon, who had been considered a potential successor to Sheriff Spangler, who is term-limited [7]. He is one of four Republican candidates in the race, alongside Mike Davis, Brent Gibson, and Jimmy \"J.J.\" Jones [9].\n\nAmburn's platform focuses on building upon the foundation established by Sheriff Spangler, increasing deputy presence for faster response times, and implementing a Quick Response Team for school threats [3]. He also prioritizes restoring proactive policing units and conducting a full agency assessment of personnel and policies [12]. His campaign website highlights support for the 287(g) immigration enforcement program [2].\n\n## Background and education\nAmburn was born and raised in West Knox County, attending the first classes at Christian Academy of Knoxville when it opened, and graduated from Farragut High School in 1985 [6]. He is a father of two children, Ashton and Conner, and a grandfather to five grandchildren [3].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [2] [Learn More \u2014 David Amburn for Knox County Sheriff](https://amburnforsheriff.com/learn-more)\n- [3] [About \u2014 David Amburn for Knox County Sheriff](https://amburnforsheriff.com/about)\n- [4] [David Amburn for Knox County Sheriff](https://amburnforsheriff.com/)\n- [6] [Chief David Amburn \u2014 Knox County Sheriff's Office](https://knoxsheriff.org/chief-david-amburn/)\n- [7] [KCSO Chief of Detectives David Amburn steps up to run for Knox County sheriff | WBIR](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/kcso-chief-of-detectives-david-amburn-steps-up-to-run-for-knox-county-sheriff/51-e1a37c8f-b8d7-4182-95bf-a5f07116af75)\n- [9] [Knox County sheriff candidates break down their visions, main priorities | WVLT](https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/03/23/knox-county-sheriff-candidates-break-down-their-visions-main-priorities/)\n- [11] [Knox County Sheriff \u2014 David Amburn | WVLT](https://www.wvlt.tv/video/2026/04/06/knox-county-sheriff-david-amburn/)\n- [12] [Knox County sheriff primary voter's guide | Yahoo News](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/knox-county-sheriff-primary-election-082225906.html)\n","birthdate":"Sat, 10 Dec 1966 00:00:00 GMT","campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","county":"Knox","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"sheriff"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"David","fullname":"David Amburn","lastname":"Amburn","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"sheriff","county":"Knox","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"knox","office_key":"sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":"knox","cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"sheriff","contest_title":"sheriff","county":"Knox","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"knox","office_key":"sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"sheriff","office_title":"Sheriff","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"David Amburn, KCSO Chief of Detectives with 34 years of service, is a Republican candidate for Knox County Sheriff in the 2026 primary.","terms":[],"token":"y7Qa5irTLW"}