Gov. Bill Lee backs Becky Massey in a blow to conservative challenger | Ashe

Gov. Bill Lee will headline a fundraising luncheon for State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey on Nov. 29 in Knoxville.

This is a setback to Monica Irvine, who is challenging Massey in the GOP primary. Irvine has adopted several policy positions of Lee’s, but Lee is still for Massey, who has been a critical force for his transportation policies as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. Irvine to date has not discussed road issues in her emails.

The lawsuit by Meghan Conley against Knox County and Sheriff Tom Spangler over release of records involving immigration enforcement has been deferred to Dec. 8 because there was no court reporter available for when the hearing was set.

The recent city elections campaign has seen two new tactics by candidates that are very clever, well thought out and effective, in my view.

First, in a recent mailer, City Council At-large candidate Debbie Helsley placed a crossword puzzle about Knoxville. Even people who back her opponent for Seat B, Bentley Marlow, filled it out.

Often these political mailers are discarded on arrival, but the puzzle lured many to read it. Fill it out and think about Helsley, who received more votes in the primary than any other candidate.

Second, Christy Caviness, wife of municipal judge candidate Tyler Caviness, mailed out a letter about how she met Tyler and why in her view he would make an accomplished judge.

The letter was handwritten and appeared to come directly from Christy. She discusses how they met in law school when she was a single mom. She offers insight into Caviness’ personality and character.

Meanwhile, incumbent City Judge John Rosson has now loaned his campaign $34,500 and received $500 from GOP law director candidate Daniel Herrera.

Election Day is Nov. 7, and I encourage you to vote if you did not vote early. Turnout is very small, so your vote makes even more of a difference. Four City Council seats and the competitive municipal judge race are on the ballot.

In 2025, five current members of City Council will rotate off due to term limits, which means five new members on the council. They are Andrew Roberto, Tommy Smith, Seema Singh, Gwen McKenzie and Lauren Rider.

Tennessee and Knoxville lost a friend and leader with the death of Joe Johnson, former University of Tennessee System president. He seriously helped the city by being the first chair of the Police Civilian Review Board, which I created and appointed. His chairmanship gave the panel credibility and prestige.

The city named a street off Neyland Drive in his memory. Much of the progress UT has made can be traced to Johnson.

Steve Bailey, the founder of Prompt Physical Therapy on Lyons View Pike, is retiring at the end of 2023 after 24 years of outstanding service to many who grew better because of the help provided. Bailey is highly respected and has spent 30 years in physical therapy.

He and his wife, Mary, have been involved in prayer ministry through his church and other organizations.

Paul and Danielle Wilson have acquired Prompt, having joined the team in March 2022. Wilson said, “We are incredibly grateful for Steve’s generosity to allow us to continue the legacy of excellence and individualized care he created at Prompt. We look forward to serving you and the Knoxville community for many years to come.”

Birthdays  

Nov. 10: Dick Bendy is 81. Martha Ashe is 31. Josh Meyer is 26. Magistrate Jill McCook is 41. Todd Richesin is 54. James A.H. Bell is 75. John D. Lee is 78.

Nov. 11: Marsha Grieve is 78. Rebecca Parr is 59. Daniel Snyder is 36. Jay Roehl II is 60. The Rev. Sam Brown is 37. TVA’s Travis Brickey is 54. House Speaker Cameron Sexton is 53. Gregg Swersky is 66. Attorney Sarah Keith is 43. Jon B. Clark is 55.

Nov. 12: Phyllis Driver is 82. Karen Day is 72. Vice Mayor Andrew Roberto is 47. Melanie Finnegan is 50. Anna Ford is 72. Dentist Reece W. Henson is 33. Seth Blaine is 30.

Nov. 13: Greg McWhorter is 64. Attorney Will Edwards is 41. Frank Cuevas is 54. Joshua Bond is 48. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is 71.

Nov. 14: Attorney Don Vowell is 71. Former county commissioner Mike Arms is 73. George Proios is 75. John Zomchick is 70. Tamara Boyer is 59. Robert Pryor Jr. is 55. James Calitri is 36. Attorney Doug Trant is 72. King Charles III is 75 and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is 69.

Nov. 15: Thad Cox Sr. is 87. Gordon Smith is 90. Doug Traver is 65. Doug Traver Jr. is 34. Edward E. Pasto is 49. Jerry Day is 77. Ovi Kabir is 27. Oliver Adams is 43. John A. Lucas is 45. Dooley Tombras is 42. UT professor John Sobieski is 78. Ozlem Kilic is 56.

Nov. 16: Christopher K. Coffey is 53. Wayne Sellars is 81. William F. Terry is 74.

Nov. 17: Patricia Bible is 68. Judith Foltz is 73. Tom Dolinak is 68. Albert G. Heins III is 70.

Victor Ashe is a former Knoxville mayor and former ambassador to Poland. He is a columnist for Shopper News. 

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Gov. Bill Lee backs Becky Massey in a blow to conservative challenger