Sheriff Jones for mayor? Possibly

Word traveling around the City County Building is that Knox County Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones is contemplating a run for the county mayoral post.

Jones is term-limited and cannot run for sheriff again. He can, however, run for mayor. Incumbent Mayor Tim Burchett also is term-limited.

As it stands, county commissioners Bob Thomas and Brad Anders, and local GOP Chairman Buddy Burkhardt, who works for the sheriff's office, are set to square off in the May 2018 Republican primary.

If Jones does decide to run, expect an announcement in the next couple of months.

Hammond: Won't seek mayoral post

I was talking with Knox County Criminal Court Clerk Mike Hammond this morning and he said he will not run for county mayor.

There had been some rumors that he would.

Instead, Hammond said he will either run for criminal court clerk again or for the circuit court clerk's gig.

As it stands, Knox County Commissioner Bob Thomas and Knox County GOP Chairman Buddy Burkhardt so far have announced their intentions to seek the county's mayoral seat.

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is term-limited. His current and second term ends in the fall of 2018.

Donald Trump campaign bus, but not Trump, to hit Knox County on Monday

The Donald Trump campaign tour bus will make its way to Knox County on Monday, although the Republican presidential candidate is not expected to be here.

However, U.S. Rep. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr. and possibly Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett plan to give brief speeches.

The bus should arrive around noon at the Knoxville Expo Center at 5441 Clinton Highway and stay for about an hour.

“I don’t want people to think that Donald Trump or some big name will be on the bus, but it’s a GOP Trump rally and they’re bringing the bus through,” said Knox County Republican Party Chairman Buddy Burkhardt. “But, I’m hoping there will be a surrogate, maybe one of his kids.”

Burkhardt added: “Voter turnout has been very good for early voting, so we’re looking forward to having the bus here, which we hope will keep the motivation going for more people to get out and vote.”

The Trump bus is part of a five-state tour of the South, which kicks off in Tennessee, Burkhardt said.

Trump, a real estate mogul, faces former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 general election.

The local GOP plans to release more information about the event later Friday.

John Kasich to serve as keynote speaker as GOP Lincoln Day Dinner

(Photo: Chip Somodevilla, 2016 Getty Images)

Presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich will be the featured guest speaker for this year's Knox County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day Dinner.

The fund-raising event is set for Feb. 27 at Rothchild Catering & Conference Center on Kingston Pike, according to Knox County GOP Treasurer Nick McBride.

Tickets are $35 and reserved tables, which can seat 10, are $1,000. The center can hold 1,200 people.

Tickets will be available on a first come, first serve basis starting Thursday, and folks can buy them from Republican office holders and GOP party leaders.

The Lincoln Day Dinner is an annual Knox County GOP fund-raising event.

“To be able to do this before the Super Tuesday primary, I’m just excited to do it,” said Knox County GOP

Chairman Buddy Burkhardt.” Even if Kasich is not in the race by then, he will be able to stump for the man he supports."

Burkhardt said he expects an appearance from a  "big name" like Kasich  to help generate interest here in Tennessee for the state’s March 1 election.

Last year, the Lincoln Day Dinner featured Haley Barbour, former chairman of the Republican National Committee and former Mississippi governor.

The event also has featured former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois), former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tennessee), former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Georgia) and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina).

Mayor Rogero to seek re-election

Rogero

If you don't know by now, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero recently stated the obvious: She is seeking re-election in 2015.

She plans to host a kick-off reception at 6 p.m. on March 24 at the Standard on Jackson Avenue.  Free parking is available after 6 p.m. across the street from the Standard in the W. Jackson Avene lot.

Rogero,  the city's first female mayor, won the office in 2011.

The Knoxville mayoral post is a non-partisan seat, but Rogero is a Democrat.

I talked to Buddy Burkhardt, the Knox County Republican Party's new chairman, and he said members are looking for a potential candidate to challenge Rogero.

If anything Ivan Harmon will probably run. Heh. 

Burkhardt picked to lead Knox GOP

Buddy Burkhardt

The Knox County Republican Party picked Buddy Burkhardt to serve as its chairman for the next two years.

Burkhardt, who works in technical support at the Knox County Sheriff's Office, succeeds Ruthie Kuhlman.

In addition, the GOP during its reorganizational meeting last Saturday at Crown College also picked Suzanne Dewar to serve as vice chair, and former county Commissioner Michele Carringer to serve as secretary.

"I am focusing on the future and I believe that a strong, conservative Republican Party is good for the citizens and prosperity of Knox County," Burkhardt said.

He added that at this point he wants to "move the party forward," and update the group's website and its Facebook page.

Burkhardt said he wants to promote candidate appearances, fundraisers and contact information for candidates and elected officials.

"I want it so that people can contact them directly and easily," he said.

The new chairman also wants to focus on creating a grassroots effort to get more residents involved in the party. He said key to that would be seeking help from the party's precinct leaders which would "give them a stronger sense of involvement."

"I want to get those people more involved in making phone calls and helping candidates in their precincts," he said. "Candidates are always looking for people to work the polls for them. I want to try to try to get a grassroots efforts going, because if people feel they are more involved, then they will be more involved."

The major local election this year is for the Knoxville mayoral seat, currently held by Madeline Rogero, a Democrat who announced her intentions Monday night on Twitter to seek re-election.

The post is non-partisan, but Burkhardt said "we know who the Democrats and Republicans are, and we can get involved and support our Republicans."

He said local GOP officials are looking for someone to potentially challenge Rogero, and talking about ways to raise money.

Next year, the county will have a couple major seats up for re-election, including the property assessor's post and the law director position. In addition, about half of the county commission seats are open.

The Knox County Democratic Party will hold its reorganizational convention March 28 at the CWA union hall.