Knox County Commission At-Large Seat 10 Choose 1
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://knoxcountyforcofer.com
Campaign Email
knoxcountyforcofer@currently.com
Age
46
Mailing Address
7319 Olive Branch Lane
Knoxville, TN 37931-4050
Knoxville, TN 37931-4050
Why are you running for this office?
Knox County is at a crossroads. Rapid growth without serious planning strains our roads, overcrowds our schools, and stretches public safety. When leaders approve development without a long term infrastructure plan, taxpayers are left paying the bill.
I am running because growth must pay for itself. New development should address its infrastructure costs up front, not pass them on to working families. County government must return to fiscal discipline, transparency, and measurable accountability.
Knox County is a great place to live. That is why people want to move here. Growth is not the problem. Irresponsible planning is. There are developers who will be willing to work with us and if they don't then they don't build.
How has your background prepared you to serve in this office?
My background has prepared me to serve through military discipline, education, and real world experience. I served in the Civil Engineering Squadron in the United States Air Force, where I learned the importance of infrastructure planning, accountability, and mission focused decision making. I earned a BBA from King University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which strengthened my understanding of budgeting, management, and fiscal responsibility. As a husband and father in Knox County, I have a personal stake in responsible growth, strong schools, and public safety. I will bring integrity, preparation, and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars to every vote.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The core responsibility of a County Commissioner is stewardship of taxpayer dollars and long term planning for the community. That means setting responsible budgets, evaluating programs for measurable results, and ensuring essential services such as roads, schools, and public safety are properly funded and sustainable. Commissioners must provide oversight, ask hard questions before committing public money, and ensure growth does not create unfunded obligations. They must also represent their constituents faithfully, remain accessible, and make decisions based on facts rather than politics. We must distinguish between wants and true needs when allocating taxpayer dollars. The taxpayer should be PRIORITY ONE!
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I believe successful leadership requires steadiness, humility, and the willingness to do the hard work behind the scenes. I am not impulsive, and I do not chase headlines. I take time to study the details, listen carefully, and weigh long term consequences before making decisions. I am comfortable asking difficult questions and standing firm when something is not fiscally responsible. I value transparency and believe elected officials should be accessible and accountable to the people they represent. Most importantly, I approach public service with a long term mindset and a commitment to doing what is right, even when it is not the easiest path. I am also willing to admit when I am wrong, correct mistakes, and move forward with integrity.
What top three things will you prioritize if elected to this office?
If elected, my top three priorities will be strengthening core services, responsible growth, and fiscal discipline. First, I will ensure essential county responsibilities such as roads, schools, and public safety are properly funded and sustainable. Second, I will require new development to address its infrastructure impact up front so taxpayers are not left subsidizing expansion. Third, I will promote disciplined budgeting by reviewing programs carefully, avoiding unfunded obligations, and planning for long term financial stability. My guiding principle is simple: protect taxpayers and govern with accountability.
What are the main points you want voters to remember about you and your candidacy?
Voters should remember that I am the only candidate for Seat 10 not aligned with developers or supportive of raising taxes. I believe growth must pay for itself. If developers want to build, they should fund the roads, utilities, schools, and infrastructure their projects require so those costs do not fall on taxpayers. I am the only candidate who has clearly stated I will not raise taxes. My commitment is simple: protect taxpayers, strengthen core services, and plan responsibly. I will approach every vote with independence and careful analysis. I want my two boys to grow up in a Knox County that keeps its character. I will also hold informal meetings across the county so residents can speak face to face without having to travel at night.
Biographical Information
Why are you running for this office?
Candidate has not yet responded.
How has your background prepared you to serve in this office?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What top three things will you prioritize if elected to this office?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What are the main points you want voters to remember about you and your candidacy?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://votekatina.com
Campaign Email
contact@votekatina.com
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/votekatina
Age
46
Mailing Address
1312 Willow Grove Dr.
Knoxville, Tennessee 37932
Knoxville, Tennessee 37932
Why are you running for this office?
Knox County is home to incredible people, and I believe every resident deserves a government that sees them, hears them, and works for them. As a pastor, counselor, and mother of four, my life has been built around service. I've sat with people in their hardest moments and celebrated their greatest triumphs. That's why I'm running — not for a title, but because I genuinely love this community and believe we can do better together. Knox County has given so much to so many. It's time to give back — and to ensure future generations inherit something even greater than what we received.
How has your background prepared you to serve in this office?
I've spent my career in the business of people. As a mental health and substance abuse counselor, I helped individuals rebuild their lives. As a pastor with a Doctor of Ministry, I lead with both compassion and wisdom. As a mother of four, I know what's at stake for Knox County families. I've worked across divides, held space for the hurting, and advocated for the overlooked. Public service isn't new to me. I'm ready to bring that same commitment to Knox County Commission.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
At its core, this office exists to serve the people of Knox County — all of them. That means being accessible and accountable, not just at election time but every day. It means making fiscally responsible decisions that reflect our community's values and priorities. It means listening before legislating — understanding how policy affects real families before casting a vote. And it means having the courage to do what's right even when it's hard. I believe a commissioner should be a bridge-builder, a truth-teller, and above all, a leader worthy of the public trust.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Empathy, wisdom, and integrity. I've spent decades navigating complex, high-stakes situations — in counseling rooms, in congregations, and in communities. I know how to build consensus without compromising my values. My education and lived experience give me the analytical tools to understand policy and the human tools to understand its impact. I'm a proven communicator who can speak truth across divides without losing the room. And I bring something increasingly rare to public life — the ability to disagree with someone and still fight for them. That's who Knox County needs at the table.
What top three things will you prioritize if elected to this office?
My top three priorities: fully funded public schools, affordable housing, and smart infrastructure. Every child deserves a well-resourced classroom, and every teacher deserves to teach without reaching into their own pockets. Every essential worker deserves to live in the community they serve. And every development decision should be made with a plan — considering safety, traffic, flooding, and real community need. Knox County deserves leadership that thinks ahead, not leadership that plays catch-up. I'm committed to getting it right the first time.
What are the main points you want voters to remember about you and your candidacy?
The main points I want voters to remember about me and my candidacy are simple: I’m committed, approachable, and results-driven. My life of service — as a counselor, pastor and mother — guide me to serve with integrity, fairness, and compassion. I want to make local government work for everyone—supporting our schools, our first responders, and our families—while addressing the real issues that affect everyday life in Knox County. I am dedicated to listening to constituents, working collaboratively, and making decisions that strengthen our community now and for the future.