Damon Rawls is running for the Knox County Commission's open District 1 seat

Damon Rawls, a strategist and founder of the Knoxville Black Business Directory, is running for the District 1 seat on the Knox County Commission. Right now, Commissioner Dasha Lundy holds the position, but she has decided not to seek a second term.

"(Knox County) has poured a lot into me and my family and allowed us to create a great life, and it's a place I want to give back to," Rawls told Knox News, adding that Lundy encouraged him to run.

Rawls serves on the Knox County Democratic Party's Board of Governors, and he said he looks forward to working with voters on both sides of the aisle if elected.

"We all live in (Knox County), and we want to make it a great place to live, work and play," he said. "We always have to remember that no matter what our national parties are doing ... this is what's happening in our home and we need to do what's best for our home."

He said his platform will center around his background in business.

"I think that one of the things that can change a community and an area is entrepreneurship," he said.

On the commission, Lundy carved out a role based on her advocacy. Rawls hopes to follow in her footsteps in the district that represents downtown Knoxville and neighborhoods to the immediate east and west.

"I definitely am a community-involved person, I definitely will be speaking out for those who don't get a chance to be involved themselves," he said.

He said he hopes to have his campaign website up by the end of the month. So far, Rawls is the only person who has declared their intention to run in the District 1 race.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her at allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @allliefeinberg.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Damon Rawls running for Knox County Commission District 1 seat