Knoxville State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey launches reelection campaign

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey launched her campaign for reelection Oct. 8. The Republican from Knoxville seeks to hold onto the seat she's been in since 2011.

In three previous elections, Massey hasn't had a primary challenger and has won the general by a large margin. In 2016, she was unopposed in the general.

"We all have different skill sets to help people," she told supporters. "I'm trying to use mine to make a difference for people in Tennessee."

In the state Senate, Massey serves on the Health and Welfare Committee and chairs the Transportation and Safety Committee. She's received legislative awards from the Rural Health Association, TN Primary Care Association, Tennessee Disability Coalition, the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and more.

David Morgan came out to support Massey after working with her through his think tank, the Reason Foundation.

"I feel really fortunate because she's a pragmatist, she's solutions-oriented," he said. "Any time you're able to work with public policy makers who ... look at issues from a standpoint of 'what's possible, what's practical,' (that's what I) see in Sen. Massey."

There was no shortage of elected officials attending her announcement event in support of Massey. State Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, Municipal Judge John Rosson, Knox County Clerk Sherry Witt, state Rep. Justin Lafferty, R-Knoxville, Knox County District 5 Commissioner John Schoonmaker and more made the trip out to West Knoxville.

"I've known Becky for a long time and she's always been supportive of county officials," Schoonmaker said. "You can sit down with her and explain whatever (the problem) is, and she'll listen to you."

Massey reaffirmed that commitment to listen to constituents.

"I promise (you that) you're not always going to agree with me ... but I promise you respect," she said. "You can always come and visit with me."

Before she was elected to the Senate, Massey was the director of the Sertoma Center, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for people with disabilities to achieve their fullest potential through residential experiences, interactions, employment and job skills training, according to its website.

Massey has a legacy of family involvement in politics. Her father, John Duncan, served as the mayor of Knoxville from 1959-1964, and was a U.S. congressman from 1964-1988. Her brother, John J. "Jimmy" Duncan, was a U.S. congressman from 1988-2019.

For voters attending her announcement, that family legacy and familiarity made her an attractive candidate.

"She's done a great job in the state senate, and we want to keep her there," voter Bob Griffitts said.

Candidates have until noon April 4 to file qualifying documents ahead of the Aug. 1 primary election.

Allie Feinberg covers politics for Knox News. She can be reached at allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com or on X: @alliefeinberg.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey seeks to keep representing Knoxville