Cameron Brooks, longtime Knox County Democratic Party organizer, candidate, has died
Democratic Party organizer, leader and Knoxville City Council candidate Cameron Brooks has died of complications related to his treatment for cancer, Knox News has learned.
Brooks previously served as the chairman of the Knox County Democratic Party and served as a Knox County election commissioner. In mid-August, he announced he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While his campaigning slowed, he remained on the ballot, facing incumbent councilperson Lynne Fugate and fellow challenger Darin Worsham.
Brooks, 45, worked as a real estate agent, cared deeply about local elections and was an avid animal advocate.
"Cameron crossed the Rainbow Bridge shortly before 1:00 a.m. to round up our beloved 4-leggers before continuing on," Brooks' husband Wes Knott wrote on Facebook.
A statement from his campaign said he developed advanced sepsis during his first cancer treatment. Funeral arrangements are pending, and the campaign invited friends to make a donation to the Young-Williams Animal Center.
Brooks finished three points behind Fugate in the Aug. 29 primary. He was set to challenge her in November's general election.
Brooks' name will not be on the November ballot, said Knox County Election Administrator Chris Davis, and no other candidates will be listed beyond Fugate, the top finisher.
Knox County Commissioner Courtney Durrett asked for prayers for Brooks' loved ones at the Sept. 1 commission reorganization meeting.
"Cameron was exceptionally kind and compassionate and genuinely cared about his community. A good friend. I will miss him," retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This is a developing story.
Reporter Allie Feinberg contributed to this report.
Tyler Whetstone is a Knox News investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. Email tyler.whetstone@knoxnews.com. Twitter @tyler_whetstone.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Cameron Brooks, Knox County Democratic Party organizer, has died
