Who is running? Knox County mayor is on the ballot, but sheriff's race is one to watch

Tyler Whetstone, Knoxville News Sentinel
·3 min read

Knox County election years bring a full slate of candidates running for some 30 offices. This year's collection is extensive, as usual.

County Mayor Glenn Jacobs is at the top of the ticket as he runs for re-election, but the most intriguing race belongs to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Former Sheriff Jimmy “J.J” Jones, back again after being term limited four years ago, is challenging Sheriff Tom Spangler in a race that is dividing Republicans and has become a test of loyalty for members of the Sheriff’s Office. Spangler defeated Jones-backed candidate Lee Tramel four years ago. Of all the county races, this will likely be the ugliest.

Elsewhere, Knox County's newly partisan school board races are set with 14 people declaring they intend to run. Five seats are up for grabs.

More: Who's running for Knox County Board of Education? Here's the list

To qualify for the election, candidates had to submit a petition with 25 signatures from qualified and registered voters in their district. Candidates have until noon Feb. 24 to withdraw their petition. The primary election is May 3 with the winners moving on to the county general on Aug. 4.

Who is running?

County mayor

  • Bob Fischer, Democrat

  • Tyler Givens, Democrat

  • Debbie Helsley, Democrat

  • Glenn Jacobs, Republican (incumbent)

Sheriff

  • Jimmy “J.J” Jones, Republican

  • Tom Spangler, Republican (incumbent)

District Attorney

  • Charme P. Allen, Republican (incumbent)

  • Jackson M. Fenner, Democrat

Public defender

  • Eric Lutton, Republican (incumbent)

County Commission District 3

  • Anthony Cespedes, Democrat

  • Nicholas Ciparro, Republican

  • Stuart Hohl, Democrat

  • Gina Oster, Republican

County Commission District 7

  • Rhonda Lee, Republican

  • Allen Merritt, Republican

  • Chuck Severance, Republican

County Commission District 10

  • Dylan Earley, Democrat

  • Larsen Jay, Republican (incumbent)

  • Steve Weiner, Republican

County Commission District 11

  • Donald Bridges, Independent

  • Devin Driscoll, Republican

  • Kim Frazier, Republican

  • Vivian Underwood Shipe, Democrat

Board of Education District 1

  • John Butler, Democrat

  • Charles Frazier, Democrat

  • Breyauna Holloway, independent

  • Reginald Jackson, independent

Board of Education District 4

  • Katherine Bike, Democrat

  • Will Edwards, Republican

Board of Education District 6

  • Betsy Henderson, Republican (incumbent)

  • Phillip Michael Sherman, independent

Board of Education District 7

  • Sherri Garrett, Republican

  • Dominique Oakley, Independent

  • Steve Triplett, Republican

Board of Education District 9

  • Annabel Henley, Democrat

  • Phil King, Republican

  • Kristi Kristy, Republican (incumbent)

County Trustee

  • Justin Biggs, Republican

  • Dave “Caz” Cazalet, Democrat

  • Richard Jacobs, Republican

​​​​​​​Register of Deeds

  • Scott Crammond, Democrat

  • Nick McBride, Republican (incumbent)

​​​​​​​County Clerk

  • Sherry Witt, Republican (incumbent)

Criminal Court Clerk

  • Mike Hammond, Republican (incumbent)

Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk

  • Dana E. Moran, Democrat

  • Charlie Susano, Republican (incumbent)

​​​​​​​General Sessions Judge Division I

  • Chuck Cerny, Republican (incumbent)

  • Sarah Keith, Democrat

General Sessions Judge Division II

  • Judd Davis, Republican

  • Sharon Frankenberg, Republican

General Sessions Judge Division III

  • Patricia Long, Republican (incumbent)

General Sessions Judge Division IV

  • Andrew Jackson, VI, Republican (incumbent)

General Sessions Judge Division V

  • Tony W. Stansberry, Republican (incumbent)

Juvenile Court Judge

  • Timothy E. Irwin, Republican (incumbent)

Chancellor, Part I

  • John F. Weaver, Republican (incumbent)

Chancellor, Part II

  • Richard "Bud" Armstrong, Republican

  • R. Deno Cole, Republican

  • Clarence E. "Eddie" Pridemore Jr., Republican (incumbent)

Chancellor, Part III

  • Christopher D. Heagerty, Republican (incumbent)

Criminal Court Division I

  • Steven W. Sword, Republican (incumbent)

Criminal Court Division II

  • Kyle Hixson, Republican (incumbent)

Criminal Court Division III

  • Scott Green, Republican (incumbent)

Circuit Court Judge Division I

  • Jerome Melson, Republican (incumbent)

Circuit Court Judge Division II

  • William T. (Bill) Ailor, Republican (incumbent)

Circuit Court Judge Division III

  • Deborah C Stevens, Republican (incumbent)

Circuit Court Judge Division IV

  • Gregory S. McMillan, Republican (incumbent)

Tyler Whetstone is a Knox News politics reporter focusing on Knoxville and Knox County.
Connect with Tyler: Twitter | Email
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County candidates in 2022 primary and general election