Election 2022: Knox County

Mayor:

Glenn Jacobs

Race: County Mayor

Party: Republican

Address: Knox County

Profession: Current Knox County Mayor

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs(Knox County)

Biography: Growing up in a military family, Glenn Jacobs learned the value of hard work, determination and respect for our precious freedoms. These principles continue to guide his life.

Prior to being elected Mayor of Knox County, Jacobs spent more than 20 years as a professional wrestler, most notably as WWE Superstar and three-time world champion Kane.

After a Hall of Fame career as a professional athlete and a few decades as a small business owner, Jacobs felt called to run for Mayor of Knox County to help others reach their full potential. In 2017, Jacobs answered the call to serve and was overwhelmingly elected Mayor of Knox County in 2018.

As Mayor of Knox County, he has demonstrated strong, conservative leadership and focused on telling the rest of the world what Knox County citizens already know: Knox County is the best place to live, work and raise a family. Under Jacobs’ leadership, Knox County has added over 2,500 jobs and seen $217 million in capital investment. He remains committed to creating opportunities for everyone to thrive in an engaged and vibrant community by prioritizing jobs, education and recreation.

Jacobs knows that the best way for businesses to grow and create jobs is by getting the government out of the way. That’s why when the Knox County Board of Health tried to implement burdensome mandates, Jacobs stepped in and fought for Knox County businesses. He led the fight to keep businesses open while much of the country was locking down.

Additionally, while other towns, cities and counties across the country raised taxes during the pandemic, Jacobs held firm and didn’t increase taxes. By tightening our belt and making smart cuts, Jacobs balanced the budget while continuing to make forward-thinking investments in our community. He’s provided raises for teachers and law enforcement officers, created three new schools and turned our county into a Second Amendment Constitutional County.

Now, Jacobs is running for re-election as Mayor of Knox County. He is committed to strengthening our local economy, recruiting businesses to Knox County, continuing to pay down the debt, keeping our taxes low, eliminating unnecessary mandates, speaking out against the ongoing border crisis that has affected Knox County, supporting our local law enforcement officers, keeping our communities safe and protecting our conservative values.

Jacobs is honored to serve such an incredible community, and he would be humbled to have your vote and support. With Jacobs as Mayor of Knox County, Tennesseans can expect four more years of strong leadership.

Jacobs and his wife of more than 25 years, Crystal, live in Knox County with their family, including two daughters, two sons-in-law, two grandchildren and five dogs.

Debbie Helsley

Race: County Mayor

Party: Democrat

Address: South Woodlawn

Profession: N/A

Biography: Debbie Helsley is a fifth-generation Knox County resident and lifelong South Knoxvillian ready to bring her leadership experience to the table as Knox County’s next mayor. Helsley is a 15-year president of the Communications Workers of America Local 3805, former VP of the Tennessee AFL-CIO, founder and vice president of her local neighborhood association, and current secretary of the Knox County Democratic Party.

Helsley’s leadership and dedication to empowering the working class have uniquely prepared her to serve as Knox County’s next Mayor. Helsley is dedicated to addressing the real concerns of the people of Knox County whom she knows so well. As County Mayor, Helsley will fully invest in our public schools, empower our neighborhoods and make decisions about zoning and growth with intention and foresight. Helsley is running to be that leader and deliver a more innovative approach to Knox County government.