18-year-old Cocke County High grad elected to county commission

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - While most high school graduates are focused on their first job or college, 18-year-old Daniel Reece is heading into local government.

Reece, a recent Cocke County High School graduate, was elected to the Cocke County Commission, winning the District 5, Post 2 race by 18 points.

Reece said his interest in public service developed before he was even old enough to run for office.

“It’s one of those things that I’ve always loved my community,” Reece said. “I wanted to do big things and this was finally a stepping stone for me to do in order to help my community and be more involved with it.”

His path toward government began when he was selected to learn more about state and local government.

“County commissioner is my thing — next goal,” Reece said.

Outside of his new role, Reece works for the county Emergency Management Agency, officiates as a referee, serves as a volunteer firefighter and does some preaching.

Reece said he hopes his election sends a message to other young people.

“I want younger people to see that if you set your mind to something, go after it 100% and it will pay off,” he said.

Reece said he is grateful for the support he received during his campaign, including from his parents.

“Thanks for raising me to be the way I am,” Reece said. “And as my dad says, you’re an 18-year-old with a 50-year-old soul. I believe that.”

Reece is set to begin representing the people of Cocke County in the coming weeks. He said his long-term goal is to one day serve as a U.S. congressman.

“I want to show them that I truly care and that this is the most important thing to me,” he said.