{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Beau Hawk","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"Beau Hawk is a Democratic candidate running for Knox County Mayor in the May 5, 2026 primary election [1]. He is currently the President of the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Central Labor Council and works as a business representative for the Knoxville Building & Construction Trades Council [8]. A member of Ironworkers Local 384, Hawk was elected president by representatives from over 30 unions comprising thousands of workers, including KAT bus drivers, grocery store employees, and postal workers [3]. He is described as an ironworker and labor leader who rose through union organizing ranks [3].\n\nHawk grew up in Chattanooga before moving to Knoxville [17]. His campaign biography states he was raised by a single mother who worked as a house cleaner, which instilled in him a belief in the dignity of hard work [3]. He entered the mayoral race on February 12, 2026, becoming the first Democrat to file for the office [17]. At the time of his announcement, he was the only local Democrat to declare his candidacy [8]. The current mayor, Glenn Jacobs, is term-limited after serving since at least 2018 [8].\n\nHawk\u2019s platform centers on affordability and economic opportunity for working families. He argues that housing costs and rents in Knox County are outpacing income, making the middle-class single-earner household difficult to sustain [14]. To address this, he has committed to raising the minimum wage for Knox County employees to $15 per hour [14]. On public safety, Hawk prioritizes ensuring full pension benefits for Knox County Sheriff\u2019s Office employees, claiming previous attempts to distribute pensions were a \"rip off\" [14]. He also lists training and equipment as top priorities for public safety [14].\n\nHawk characterizes himself as not being a career politician, stating that Knox County needs leadership that listens and builds consensus rather than continuing the \"good ole boy system\" he believes has dominated local government [3]. He criticizes the Republican party for running the county for decades without sharing a sense of duty toward opportunity and affordability [6]. His campaign website is hawkforknox.com [3].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [3] [Beau Hawk for Knox County Mayor](https://www.hawkforknox.com)\n- [6] [Beau Hawk is a labor leader and community advocate ...](https://www.facebook.com/knox.dems/posts/beau-hawk-is-a-labor-leader-and-community-advocate-running-for-mayor-to-fight-fo/1205363928437596/)\n- [8] [Election 2026: Beau Hawk announces run for Knox County mayor | wbir.com](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/election-2026-beau-hawk-announces-run-for-knox-county-mayor/51-61184c31-f487-495a-843e-178ecf2b4e4f)\n- [13] [Meet your candidates for Knox County Mayor - Knox TN Today](https://www.knoxtntoday.com/meet-your-candidates-for-knox-county-mayor/)\n- [14] [Knox County Mayoral Candidates on Public Safety, the Economy and Growth | WIVK-FM](https://www.wivk.com/2026/04/06/47844/)\n- [17] [First democratic candidate joins Knox County mayoral race](https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/02/13/first-democratic-candidate-joins-knox-county-mayoral-race/)\n- [18] [Knox County mayoral candidates on public safety, the economy and growth](https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/03/11/knox-county-mayoral-candidates-public-safety-economy-growth/)","firstname":"Beau","lastname":"Hawk","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"6UEBtz75Z9"},"token":"beau_hawk"},{"candidatename":"Betsy Henderson","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nBetsy Henderson has represented District 6 on the Knox County Board of Education since 2020 and has twice been elected the board's chair [1]. She won the Republican nomination for Knox County Mayor in the May 5, 2026 primary, receiving 44.73% of the vote (20,070 votes) against at-large County Commissioners Larsen Jay (31.15%, 13,975 votes) and Kim Frazier (24.12%, 10,822 votes) [2][3]. She advances to face Democratic nominee Beau Hawk in the August 6, 2026 general election for the seat being vacated by term-limited incumbent Republican Glenn Jacobs [4][5].\n\n## Background and education\nHenderson is an East Tennessee native who grew up in Louisville, Tennessee, and attended Maryville City Schools before earning a degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville [1]. She lives in the Hardin Valley community of Knox County with her husband, Scott, and their two children, Logan and Molly [1].\n\n## Career\nAfter college, Henderson moved to Washington, D.C. to work in the office of U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan, beginning the job \"just days after September 11, 2001\" [1]. She later returned to Knox County and was elected to the school board in 2020 [6].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nOn January 28, 2025, Henderson testified before a Tennessee Senate committee in support of Gov. Bill Lee's universal school voucher proposal, identifying herself as the Knox County Board of Education chair while saying she was speaking in her \"personal capacity\" - despite the board itself having voted not to support the voucher plan [7]. Knox County Commissioner Terry Hill, a former Knox County Schools board chair, said Henderson may have violated the board's code of ethics by touting the proposal in that setting [8]. A Change.org petition calling for her removal from the board drew more than 1,700 signatures, arguing she \"did not represent the Knox County community and did not value the input of the community\" [9]. Henderson said she had no intention of leaving the board regardless of the petition [7].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Betsy Henderson taps campaign treasurer in move toward running for Knox County mayor - WBIR](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/betsy-henderson-take-steps-toward-mayor-run/51-4ec5f096-ede3-46e9-ba74-fa6aa1509e9b) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Betsy Henderson wins Republican nominee for Knox County mayor - WATE](https://www.wate.com/news/top-stories/betsy-henderson-republican-knox-mayor/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [Cumulative Results Report, Knox County Election Commission, May 5, 2026](https://elections.knoxcounty.org/assets/data/cumulative.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[4] [2026 Knox County, Tennessee mayoral election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Knox_County,_Tennessee_mayoral_election) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[5] [Betsy Henderson wins Republican primary for Knox County mayor's race - WBIR](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/elections/betsy-henderson-wins-republican-primary-for-knox-county-mayors-race/51-9e39d3bf-7e6a-41bb-828a-729c17c87bf2) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[6] [Betsy Henderson - LegiStorm biography](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/518664/Betsy_Henderson.html) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[7] [Knox County Schools chair faces calls to step down after speaking in 'personal capacity' to support universal school vouchers - WBIR](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/education/betsy-henderson-faces-calls-to-step-down-after-speaking-in-support-of-universal-school-vouchers/51-39718e73-9e97-4736-acd3-e4e0f917ffe7) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[8] ['Not acceptable behavior' | Former KCS chair condemns current chair after she touted universal school vouchers in TN legislature - WBIR](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/education/former-kcs-chair-says-betsy-henderson-may-have-violated-ethics-code-by-touting-school-vouchers-in-tn-legislature/51-c479924e-e267-4784-84ec-01721bf41da1) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[9] [Hundreds of people are joining an effort to have the Knox County Schools' board chair removed - WBIR](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/education/hundreds-of-people-are-joining-effort-to-have-the-knox-county-boe-chair-removed/51-a08cd35a-ec62-427e-8478-cc3675f7bc52) - accessed 2026-07-06","firstname":"Betsy","lastname":"Henderson","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"bvHqSt2FE4"},"token":"betsy_henderson"},{"candidatename":"Kim Frazier","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"Kim Frazier is a Republican candidate running for Knox County Mayor in the May 5, 2026 primary election [19]. She currently serves as an At-Large Commissioner on the Knox County Commission, representing Seat 11 during her first term from 2022 to 2026 [1]. Within the commission, she holds the position of Vice Chair and chairs both the Rules Committee and the Beer Board [1]. Her committee assignments include the CAC Committee, Legislative Affairs, Codes Committee, Finance Committee, Telecom Committee, Ag Extension Committee, Fire and Technical Rescue Committee, Knox County Golf Board, and Parks and Recreation Board [1].\n\nFrazier grew up on fourth-generation farmland and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Health Care Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville [3]. Her professional background includes roles as Executive Director for a local rehabilitation company, Human Resources Director for a global entertainment lighting company, and consultant for non-profit development [3][4]. She is married to Major Russ Frazier, M.D., and they have two sons, Jackson and Maddox [1].\n\nFrazier has been active in community advocacy for 15 years, organizing groups such as the Knox Community Planning Alliance and Hardin Valley Planning Advocates [4]. She has served on boards including Junior Achievement of East TN, Paws & Badges, Knox County Rescue, The Restoration House, and Tennova Hospital [4]. In 2018, she was appointed Vice-Chair of the Knox County Government Ethics Committee [4]. She also completed the University of Tennessee MTAS Elected Official Academy [4].\n\nFrazier officially announced her mayoral campaign in December 2025, having filed for candidacy in September of that year [19]. Her platform emphasizes responsible growth, fiscal responsibility, and support for public schools [19]. She argues that Knox County\u2019s infrastructure and planning must keep pace with its growth to maintain quality of life [7]. Frazier is one of three Republican candidates in the primary, alongside Commissioner Larsen Jay and School Board Chair Betsy Henderson [19].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Kim Frazier - Knox County Commission](https://commission.knoxcountytn.gov/people/commission-kim-frazier/)\n- [2] [Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor \u2013 Community First](https://www.electkimfrazier.com/)\n- [3] [Kim\u2019s Story \u2013 Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor](https://www.electkimfrazier.com/kims-story/)\n- [4] [Experience & Achievements \u2013 Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor](https://www.electkimfrazier.com/experience-achievements/)\n- [6] [About Kim \u2013 Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor](https://www.electkimfrazier.com/why-kim/)\n- [7] [Purpose & Priorities \u2013 Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor](https://www.electkimfrazier.com/purpose-priorities/)\n- [10] [Programs \u2013 Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor](https://www.electkimfrazier.com/programs/)\n- [11] [What People Are Saying \u2013 Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor](https://www.electkimfrazier.com/what-people-are-saying/)\n- [12] [Show Your Support - Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor](https://www.electkimfrazier.com/show-your-support/)\n- [13] [Blog \u2013 Elect Kim Frazier for Knox County Mayor](https://www.electkimfrazier.com/news/)\n- [19] [Knox County Commissioner Kim Frazier officially announces mayoral run](https://www.wvlt.tv/2025/12/09/knox-county-commissioner-kim-frazier-officially-announces-mayoral-run/)","firstname":"Kim","lastname":"Frazier","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"Y0cHymNNO3"},"token":"kim_frazier"},{"candidatename":"Larsen Jay","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"Larsen Jay is a Republican candidate for Knox County Mayor in Tennessee, seeking to succeed the term-limited incumbent Glenn Jacobs [12]. He is currently serving his second term as an at-large Commissioner on the Knox County Commission (Seat 10), having been first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 [1]. During his tenure, he served as Commission Chairman for the 2020-2021 legislative session [7]. Jay is running to replace Jacobs, whose time in office ends in 2026 [12].\n\nJay holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee [1]. Before entering politics, he worked as a film and television producer for nearly 15 years, earning an Emmy Award and dozens of Telly Awards for his work on projects including \"Erin Brockovich\" and \"That Evening Sun\" [7], [8]. In July 2007, Jay suffered a near-fatal fall from a workshop roof. During his recovery, he founded Random Acts of Flowers, a nonprofit that redistributes recycled floral arrangements to healthcare facilities. He served as its CEO for 13 years, expanding the organization to have branches in Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Indianapolis [8].\n\nJay\u2019s community involvement includes service on the boards of the Legacy Parks Foundation, Knox Education Foundation, The Joy of Music School, The Bijou Theatre, Knoxville Symphony, and the Alliance for Better Nonprofits [1]. He was a member of the inaugural class of the Knoxville News Sentinel\u2019s \u201c40 Under 40\u201d and a graduate of Leadership Knoxville [1]. He also helped lead efforts to reopen the Bijou Theatre, start the East TN Chili Cook-Off, and bring the \"Holidays on Ice\" ice rink back to downtown Knoxville [1]. Currently, he serves as the Director of Business Alliances at PYA, a national professional services firm [7].\n\nIn his campaign for Knox County Mayor, Jay has positioned himself as a conservative leader focused on fiscal responsibility, public education, law enforcement, veterans, and infrastructure [6]. He launched his campaign in summer 2024 with a kick-off event at the Bridgewater Place Event Center [12]. Disclosure records indicate he is the leading spender in the Republican primary, having spent approximately $227,000 in one recent reporting period and holding over $250,000 on hand [19]. His opponents in the Republican primary are fellow Commissioner Kim Frazier and school board member Betsy Henderson [14], [19].\n\nJay\u2019s political loyalty has been challenged by a group of conservative activists who petitioned the Tennessee Republican Party to remove him from the ballot, citing past donations to Democrats and independents. The state party executive committee dismissed the complaint, allowing Jay to remain on the ballot [14]. Jay disputes the characterization of his record, noting he is a lifelong Republican with support from party leadership and nearly 1,000 local donors [14].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Larsen Jay - Knox County Commission](https://commission.knoxcountytn.gov/people/commissioner-larsen-jay/)\n- [5] [Today, Republican Larsen Jay announced his campaign ...](https://www.facebook.com/knox.dems/posts/today-republican-larsen-jay-announced-his-campaign-for-county-mayor-2-years-and-/675247254782602/)\n- [6] [Larsen Jay for Knox County Mayor](https://larsenjay.com/)\n- [7] [About Larsen \u2013 Larsen Jay for Knox County Mayor](https://larsenjay.com/about-larsen/)\n- [8] [Getting to know Larsen Jay | The Knoxville Focus](https://www.knoxfocus.com/archives/this-weeks-focus/getting-know-larsen-jay/)\n- [9] [Larsen Jay](https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/official/larsen-jay)\n- [10] [Videos \u2013 Larsen Jay for Knox County Mayor](https://larsenjay.com/media/)\n- [11] [Support \u2013 Larsen Jay for Knox County Mayor](https://larsenjay.com/support/)\n- [12] [Larsen Jay launches Knox County mayoral campaign | wbir.com](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/larsen-jay-knox-county-mayor/51-2ac69717-f409-42ef-ad55-71d08f03fba5)\n- [14] [Conservatives question mayoral candidate Larsen Jay's 'bona fide status' as a Republican | wbir.com](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/conservatives-question-mayoral-candidate-larsen-jays-republican-status/51-cb800011-b556-4d9e-8b89-c79525d422b6)\n- [19] [Election 2026: More than $600K spent in Knox Co. mayor's race so far | wbir.com](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/knoxville/election-2026-more-than-600k-spent-in-knox-co-mayors-race-so-far/51-cc4abaf1-7f0e-4f3b-8c49-68b009490788)\n- [20] [Meet your candidates for Knox County Mayor - Knox TN Today](https://www.knoxtntoday.com/meet-your-candidates-for-knox-county-mayor/)","firstname":"Larsen","lastname":"Jay","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"Z44CGXJR1M"},"token":"larsen_jay"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"knox","districtgroup":"county","districtgroupname":"County","districtname":null,"job_type":"county_mayor","o.office":"county_mayor","office":"county_mayor","officedescription":"The county mayor (county executive in some counties) is the county's chief executive and administrative officer. The mayor prepares the annual budget for the county commission, oversees the daily operation of county departments, and represents the county in intergovernmental dealings. It is an administrative office: the commission sets policy, the mayor runs the operation.","officequalities":"- Executive management of a metropolitan county government of roughly 910,000 residents and a billion-dollar-plus consolidated budget across health, public works, corrections, the Sheriff's Office (administrative side), and many smaller departments.\n- Ability to negotiate and defend an annual budget before a 13-member County Commission.\n- Intergovernmental capacity: coordinating with the City of Memphis, six suburban municipalities, the State of Tennessee, and federal agencies, especially on shared services like MATA, MLGW, EDGE, and the Health Department.\n- Working familiarity with Tennessee county-government law, the Shelby County Charter, open-meetings, and procurement rules.\n- Public-facing communication and crisis-management skills for a large, diverse, news-attentive county.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"Knox County Mayor","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":null,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"County Mayor"}