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2025 PRIMARY Knoxville City Council District 1 Choose 1

Voter Guide

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Karyn Adams (NON)

Biographical Information

Campaign Phone 336-706-1788
Campaign Website http://karynforknoxville.com
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569519931950

Why are you running for Knoxville City Council?

I want the positive momentum of our City to continue - for all Knoxvillians - through smart, sustainable growth. After serving on Planning Commission for the last 5 years, working with neighborhood and business organizations, raising my family here, and helping protect our green spaces, I am prepared to lead the 1st District through an important next chapter: South Knox Waterfront Development, Gay Street Bridge, Chapman Highway improvements, UT’s Entertainment District… these are just some of the incredible projects and initiatives underway. It is critical that we have a Councilperson who understands the community and the importance of building consensus to deliver results. Doing so takes collaboration and persistence. I’m ready, day one.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the City of Knoxville at this time?

I implemented a survey at the beginning of my campaign to make sure that I wasn’t just relying on my own gut and perspective but was listening to the community about our City’s greatest challenges. The answers were consistent, and clear – housing, affordability, and homelessness were top of the list. Additionally, creating more connections between communities via sidewalks and greenways, which are ways to support multi-modes of transport and smaller-scale, place-based development. Although not mentioned in the survey, I believe the City’s growth is made more sustainable when Knoxville is attracting more young people and keeping them here, with enough housing, jobs, and quality of life elements that make this the place they most want to be.

What will you do to positively impact transportation for the people of Knoxville?

Our roads are more congested than ever because there are few reliable and safe alternatives to driving. I will continue to support initiatives like the Transit-Oriented Development Study, which outlines ways we can grow smarter as a community and truly make transit reliable and accessible. We have a very active and engaged population that is looking for the quality of life delivered by a more bikable, walkable city that is traversable by public transit, but it must be safe and accessible. I will support these efforts through policy – expanding greenways, connecting neighborhoods, providing sidewalks, using a transit-oriented lens for development priorities, and incentivizing those who prioritize bike, ped, and public transportation options.

What is your opinion about the City of Knoxville’s proposed 0.5% sales tax increase?

My job as a candidate isn’t to persuade or convince on this issue, but to listen and learn. Since the proposal, I have been talking with voters and listening to their concerns. The one consistent thread of feedback is the need for the City to commit to the specific promised expenditures if the local option tax is passed. I agree with legally codifying uses, especially since the 5-year plan will span two mayoral administrations. Personally, I recognize the infrastructure needs, including housing, that the proposed tax could help the City address; however, the parameters of the proposal are still very fluid. I’m committed to staying open, listening to the community, and watching for the City to make the case.

What are your views on Knoxville’s current housing strategy, and do you think any changes to that strategy are needed?

I have unique visibility into the housing challenges our community faces because of my service on Planning Commission. We are experiencing exceptional demand and low inventory, which is impacting affordability, but inventory is only part of the equation to achieve a spectrum of affordability. Knoxville has long had a priority to “build out the corridors” but lacked adequate incentives to activate efforts. Strategic, positive changes will update the General Plan and codes to designate priority areas, incentivize desired development types, and include housing types missing from our recent building patterns, such as duplexes that are individually owned (not just rented), smaller homes, and mixed use developments of a smaller scale.

Voter Guide

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Lindsey Jaremko (NON)

Biographical Information

Campaign Phone (865)236-0727
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575977074701

Why are you running for Knoxville City Council?

I’m running because too many people feel shut out of local decisions. As a licensed social worker, union member, and advocate, I’ve helped people navigate systems that weren’t built for them. I’m bringing that experience to Council to fight for a city that works for everyone, not just those with money or influence. I believe housing, racial, economic, and environmental justice are connected, and local government must take them seriously. I’ll work for transparent, community-driven leadership that puts people first.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the City of Knoxville at this time?

Knoxville is becoming less affordable, while wages and services fall behind. We’re facing cuts to key federal programs, and our local government isn’t stepping up. The biggest challenge is the growing gap between what people need and what our systems are willing to provide. If we don’t act now, the pressure on housing, infrastructure, and working families will only grow. No one is coming to save us, we need leadership ready to plan, respond, and fight for our communities.

What will you do to positively impact transportation for the people of Knoxville?

We need to focus on how working families actually get around, not just recreation. In District One, major infrastructure spending has gone to parks while many neighborhoods still lack basic connectivity. I’ll push for sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit that link people to jobs, school, and services, and ensure new development considers parking, traffic, and access from the start. If we build with equity and real daily needs in mind, we make Knoxville safer and more accessible for everyone.

What is your opinion about the City of Knoxville’s proposed 0.5% sales tax increase?

I oppose it. It raises costs for residents but gives them no say in how the money is spent. Under current rules, the mayor’s budget passes automatically, even if Council objects. The tax proposal comes with promises but no guarantees. I believe we should not raise taxes like this, or property taxes either, until residents have more power over how public dollars are used. We need real accountability before asking working families to pay more.

What are your views on Knoxville’s current housing strategy, and do you think any changes to that strategy are needed?

Growth is inevitable but displacement isn’t. Our current policies favor developers over long-time residents. I support housing strategies that are community-led and rooted in equity. We need to invest in truly affordable housing, prevent displacement, and rethink how we use tools like PILOTs and TIFs. I also support zoning reform but only with protections and investments to keep housing affordable and neighborhoods stable. Housing should build community wealth not just profits.

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Becky Jones (NON)

Biographical Information

Why are you running for Knoxville City Council?

Candidate has not yet responded.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the City of Knoxville at this time?

Candidate has not yet responded.

What will you do to positively impact transportation for the people of Knoxville?

Candidate has not yet responded.

What is your opinion about the City of Knoxville’s proposed 0.5% sales tax increase?

Candidate has not yet responded.

What are your views on Knoxville’s current housing strategy, and do you think any changes to that strategy are needed?

Candidate has not yet responded.

Voter Guide

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Charles Van Morgan (NON)

Biographical Information

Why are you running for Knoxville City Council?

Candidate has not yet responded.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the City of Knoxville at this time?

Candidate has not yet responded.

What will you do to positively impact transportation for the people of Knoxville?

Candidate has not yet responded.

What is your opinion about the City of Knoxville’s proposed 0.5% sales tax increase?

Candidate has not yet responded.

What are your views on Knoxville’s current housing strategy, and do you think any changes to that strategy are needed?

Candidate has not yet responded.