KnoxTNToday is dedicated to impartial coverage of Knox County politics and campaigns for government offices. Our commitment is to present all candidates equitably and to ensure transparency in our reporting. By fact-checking statements and engaging with the community, we aim to empower voters to make informed decisions.

We covered the Sheriff’s race in January. Today, we cover the four candidates for Mayor of Knox County who are on the ballot in the Knox County Primary Election to be held May 5, 2026: Kim Frazier, Betsy Henderson and Larsen Jay on the Republican ballot, with Beau Hawk as the sole Democratic candidate. The winners for each party will face off in the General Election on August 6, 2026.

KnoxTNToday reached out to each and received responses to six questions sent to them.  We are providing the responses that reflect those questions.

We will also provide clarity on a couple of questions that have been raised during the campaign.

WHY IS PUBLIC SERVICE SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Kim Frazier: “Public service is deeply personal to me because it’s rooted in how I was raised and how I’ve tried to live my life. I was raised on a 120-acre family farm where faith shaped you, family grounded you, and freedom provided endless opportunities. I was taught that if you care about your community, you don’t complain from the sidelines, you show up. You volunteer. You serve.  You take responsibility. That mindset shaped me long before holding office. Knox County isn’t just where I work, it’s where my family has built our life. It’s where my children went to school, where my husband and I built our careers, made friendships, and where we worship, serve, and invest our time. So, when I make decisions, I’m not thinking in abstract policy terms. I’m thinking about neighbors. I’m thinking about families like mine. For me, public service is about stewardship, purpose, and gratitude for the opportunities this community has given my family, and a commitment to give back by doing the work faithfully and with integrity.”

Beau Hawk: “Local government is where decisions most directly affect people’s quality of life, from roads and schools to affordability and economic opportunity. I’m motivated by the chance to solve problems, shake up the status quo that’s run things for too long, and deliver results that improve all of our lives. This office shouldn’t be a stepping stone for those angling for higher office. It’s about listening to constituents, building trust, providing oversight, and making sure the government works for the people it serves.”

Betsy Henderson: “Public service is personal to me. This community helped shape who I am. I was born at St. Mary’s Hospital and raised in East Tennessee. I attended public schools and graduated from the University of Tennessee. The week after September 11, 2001, I moved to Washington, DC to work for Congressman Jimmy Duncan because I felt called to serve. At a moment when our country was hurting, I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. I am a conservative Republican, a wife, and most importantly, a mom. My husband and I chose to move back to Knox County because we believe this is the best place to raise a family. We love our safe neighborhoods, strong schools, and the values that define East Tennessee. My passion for public service also comes from my family’s story. My mom grew up in South Knoxville. My dad came to this country legally from Greece as a teenager through Ellis Island, with $50 tied around his neck. Through hard work and determination, my parents built small businesses that became part of the fabric of this community, including the Varsity Inn and Lakeview Market. They lived the American Dream. That shaped my deep respect for families and small businesses who work hard every day to build a better future. Knox County is at a crossroads. With a county budget of more than $1.1 billion, we have the resources to provide good roads, strong public safety, and world class schools. What we need to continue to have executive leadership that will prioritize wisely, control spending, and protect taxpayers. As chair of the third largest school district in Tennessee, I worked to reduce bureaucracy, invest directly in classrooms, and focus on results. We improved outcomes while demanding accountability. That experience matters. I am running for mayor to keep taxes low, stop out of control growth, ensure good roads and world class schools, and deliver real results for the hardworking families who make this county such a special place. County government should be a good steward of your tax dollars and a partner to families, not a burden. I believe when government gets out of the way and focuses on its core responsibilities, families and communities thrive.”

Larsen Jay: “I am part of a long line of military family members, and I see public service as my opportunity to dedicate myself to my community and country. I believe sacrificing your time, treasurer and talents, especially on a local level, can have the greatest impact during my short time on this earth. The happiest people I’ve ever known are ones who help other people selflessly. I’m inspired by the unsung heroes that show up and leave things a little better. If my actions can live up to their dedication to others, I’ll rest easy knowing I did everything I could to be helpful.”

IF ELECTED, WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?

Kim Frazier: “I have several priorities for the next four years.

  • Responsible Growth and Infrastructure – Plan responsibly and invest in roads, utilities, and schools to support current and future residents.
  • Preserve Community Character – Implement land use policies that reflect the identity of Knox County’s unique communities.
  • Public Safety and Community Well-Being – Support first responders and continue to engage in efforts to address mental health, substance misuse, and homelessness.
  • Fiscal Accountability – Ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely on essential public services and are addressing current, identified needs.
  • Strong Schools and Educational Pathways – Support school academic excellence for all and the expansion of career pathways and education opportunities for youth.
  • Collaborative, Community-Minded Leadership – Engage citizens, listen first, and lead with solutions, not politics. Hold regular town hall meetings and create a Citizen Advisory Council.”

Beau Hawk: “Number one is affordability. Knox County has become unaffordable for too many, and the very people who make this community great are being priced out: First responders, teachers, nurses, and small business owners should be able to live in the communities they serve. We must build housing that is attainable for them, not just mega mansions and sprawl that’s eating up our farmland. Another top priority is transparency. The county government has been surrounded by a cloud of scandal and corruption for several years. Let’s pass term limits for officeholders to stop individuals from making multi-decade careers on the public dime, encourage new public servants to serve, and bring new ideas to the table.”

Betsy Henderson: “Leadership is about choosing and sticking to the right priorities. I believe when everything is a priority, nothing is. As mayor of Knox County, my priorities are clear:

  • Government will live within its means, and I will not raise taxes.
    • Protect our community from reckless, unchecked development.
    • Support our neighborhoods with strong public safety and good roads.
    • Strengthen our schools so teachers can teach and students can thrive.

As your mayor, my commitment is simple: I will always put the needs of your family first.”

Larsen Jay: “My priorities for the next four years are clear, focused, and rooted in decisions that will shape the next 20-40 years across Knox County. (1) Infrastructure First: everything starts with being able to move people and services around while reducing the gridlock and growing congestion. (2) Strong & Supported Law Enforcement: Neighborhoods that are safe will thrive with growing families, and our deputies need to know we value them more than ever. (3) Excellence in Education: Our future workforce is directly tied to our education system, and I believe there is no better investment, ever, than a great education.”

HOW DO YOU ENGAGE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

Kim Frazier: “I have a very community-minded leadership approach. My approach centers on accessibility, listening carefully, and treating local government as accountable to the people it serves.

  1. Community Presence: I serve on 14 boards and committees and am a member of 6 community and business groups. In addition, I attend neighborhood meetings, civic group gatherings, and community events across Knox County to hear concerns firsthand and stay connected to different parts of the county.
  2. Direct Communication: Constituents can reach out by phone, email, and social media. I emphasize being responsive to calls and messages, particularly when residents have concerns about infrastructure, growth, schools, or public safety.
  3. Public Meetings & Workshops: As part of the County Commission, I organize and participate in public meetings where residents can speak during open forum periods. Work sessions and committee meetings also provide opportunities for deeper discussion on specific issues.
  4. Issue-Focused Conversations: When major topics arise, such as development and budget decisions, I seek input from citizens, local leaders, community partners, and residents to understand community impact before decisions are made.
  5. Ongoing Updates: Through public posts and community communications, I share information about county projects, budget matters, and policy discussions to keep constituents informed.”

Beau Hawk: “Engaging with constituents starts with being present and accessible. I believe people deserve a county mayor who doesn’t just hear from them during election season, but listens year-round. That includes intentional community outreach and a robust social media presence that meets the needs of mass communication and transparency in real-time. I will spend time in neighborhoods, at community meetings, local events, and small businesses, meeting people where they are and learning directly about the issues affecting their daily lives.”

Betsy Henderson: “Leadership starts with listening, then allowing what you hear to shape the decisions that are made. Too often, government creates a process for people to speak, but the decisions have already been made and public input does not truly matter. As a School Board member, I have made myself accessible. I have met with parents, teachers, business owners, pastors, and community leaders. I attend community meetings. I answer calls and emails. Those conversations influenced my decisions and allowed us to make changes that benefited families. As mayor, I will continue to be present and accessible. You will never have to wonder where I stand or whether I am listening.”

Larsen Jay: “I report to half a million people across Knox County as their Commissioner, so it’s important to me to remain available, engaged, and listening to the needs of the community. People call, email, and write me all the time with requests or concerns — and I value many of the “old-school” ways of communicating person-to-person. I also have a dedicated constituent website where I send a monthly digital newsletter and keep people informed about issues in county government.  And finally, I show up in the community to hear directly from citizens. I believe meeting people where they are makes a difference. Even if we disagree, if we can sit down face-to-face and have a rational, thoughtful discussion, we usually can find some common ground.”

AFTER YEARS AS A COMMISSIONER, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, OR COMMUNITY SERVANT, WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

Kim Frazier: “When I ran for County Commission, I made one promise to PUT people and community first, and that is exactly what I have done. I have focused on responsible growth, fiscal discipline, and protecting the quality of life that makes Knox County special, and I’ve worked every day to deliver on that. I led the charge to proactively update and elevate our 25-year-old growth and land use plans, which is one of the most significant planning efforts Knox County has undertaken in decades. We must grow with purpose, not just expand under pressure. That is why I also passed a resolution giving the county legal standing to require infrastructure improvements alongside rezoning approvals, so development contributes to the roads, schools, and services it impacts. I’ve consistently challenged and championed rezoning requests to ensure they align with the character and form of existing communities. I’ve secured funding and planning for road paving and improvement projects across the county, strengthened long-term infrastructure planning, and supported new amenities and enhancements in our parks and recreational areas. I’ve also supported the State of Tennessee Farm Bill to encourage land conservation, because once farmland and open space are lost, they’re gone for good. Public safety has remained a priority. I’ve supported raises for teachers, law enforcement officers, and county employees to help retain strong public servants. I challenged and championed improvements in ambulatory emergency response, and I ensured fire jurisdictions are included in Planning Commission reports so safety impacts are fully considered. I’ve supported senior and disabled veteran tax relief, conducted a comprehensive review of county-affiliated boards and committees to strengthen accountability, improved the internal rules governing Commission operations, and championed a thorough review of the Knox County Code of Ethics to reinforce transparency and public trust. Equally important, I’ve worked to lower barriers to citizen engagement, supporting clearer committee appointment processes, raising awareness about constituent tools like SeeClickFix, traffic calming assessments, and greater transparency through capital improvement project tracking. I’ve facilitated and attended dozens and dozens of constituent meetings, responded daily to calls and emails, and supported educational workshops to ensure commissioners are informed and prepared. Leadership isn’t about headlines. It’s about steady, thoughtful governance. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to plan responsibly, protect our community character, strengthen public safety, and remain fiscally responsible and I’m committed to continuing that work with integrity and accountability for the people of Knox County.”

Beau Hawk: “While I’m not a politician in elected office, I am proud to represent over 30 unions as President of the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Central Labor Council, representing thousands of union workers in Knox County — from postal workers to cashiers to musicians in the symphony.”

Betsy Henderson: “In December 2020, I was sworn in to serve on the Knox County School Board. From day one, my focus was clear: put students first and deliver real results. Knox County Schools is the third-largest school district in Tennessee. We educate nearly 60,000 students and represent approximately two-thirds of Knox County’s overall budget. I had the honor of serving as Chair for two years during a time when our schools, families, and teachers needed steady leadership. We did not just talk about improvement. We made tough decisions and took action. We brought in strong new leadership to move the district forward. We reduced central office staffing to push more resources into the classroom. We invested directly in classroom teachers to remain competitive and stop the loss of talent to surrounding districts. We expanded career and technical training so students can graduate ready for college, trade school, or military service.

“The progress is real:

  • The Tennessee Department of Education recognized Knox County as an “Advancing” district, one of the highest designations in the state.
    • 18 schools earned the state’s top honor as Reward Schools for strong achievement and growth.
    • For the fourth consecutive year, KCS made gains in every tested subject, ELA, math, science, and social studies.
    • TCAP results show students scored proficient in ELA across tested grades, up 4.9 points compared to 2021-2022.

“These gains did not happen by accident. They happened because we focused on classrooms, empowered teachers, and insisted on accountability. I am grateful for our teachers, principals, staff, parents, and students who make this progress possible. We will continue building while maintaining fiscal discipline and strong parental involvement.”

Larsen Jay: “Three specific accomplishments stand out over my eight years as a commissioner. We’ve significantly cleared out and cleaned up Beaver Creek, and as a result, flooding is down, the water quality is improving, and recreational boating is returning to this vital waterway. When neighbors came to me with fundraising needs for their kids’ school playgrounds, I worked with the school system to change the policy around playground funding and maintenance, then established the Playspace Fund at the Knox Education Foundation to replace and repair over 20 public school playgrounds and ensure no child has to fundraise to have a space critical to physical health and well-being. And finally, amongst the many accomplishments as a Commissioner, I’m probably most proud of starting the Junior Commissioner Civics Youth Leadership Academy for local high school students. This program offers them the opportunity to learn about the importance of local government in everyone’s daily life and how their efforts can positively impact their community.”

WHAT’S ONE KNOX COUNTY OR KCS DEPARTMENT YOU’VE DONE THE MOST WORK FOR AND IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Kim Frazier: “I enjoy working with all county departments, but I would have to say that I have most closely worked with Planning and Engineering and Public Works working alongside them to update the 25-year old growth plan, modernizing and elevating land use and zoning regulations, codifying infrastructure requirements tied to rezoning, and challenging and shaping rezoning cases.”

Beau Hawk: “Parks and Recreation is the county department that’s most personal to me. While I haven’t worked inside the department, I’ve experienced firsthand how vital our parks and greenways are to families across Knox County. That’s why protecting and expanding access to vibrant, well-maintained parks is so important to me and among my priorities. County government plays a critical role in funding, maintenance, and long-term planning. As mayor, I want to make sure the priorities of the master plan adopted in 2023 are delivered on and that every community sees that investment.”

Betsy Henderson: “ I have worked closely with numerous important departments, from public works to parks to libraries. However, the foundation of every community is safety. That is why the Sheriff’s Office is fundamental. I am concerned that we are underpaying and understaffing our Sheriff’s Office. When I was elected to the School Board, we faced a similar issue with teacher compensation. We were losing talent to neighboring districts and starting each year hundreds of teachers short. As a Board, we conducted a thorough compensation study and created a new salary scale, investing $41 million to bring teacher salaries up to market rates.

“We paid for it in two ways:

  1. We used additional state dollars wisely by paying down one time debt expenditures to prepare for long term salary increases. These additional State dollars came from the General Assembly through a new funding formula. I was the only school board member in the state to serve on the outcomes funding committee that helped create the new funding formula.
  2. We saved $14 million by reducing overhead and cutting bureaucracy.

“We can take a similar approach with our Sheriff’s Office. There are areas where we can reduce waste and inefficiencies, but we must prioritize what is working. Our deputies keep us safe. Investing in public safety will be a top priority.”

Larsen Jay: “Our local law enforcement professionals might have one of the hardest jobs in the community. There’s a tremendous weight on them daily, and the responsibility and trust we place in our officers is at the highest levels. I’ve been on eight ride-a-longs with our KCSO Sheriff’s deputies and Knoxville Police Department officers, plus a shift in our jail, and that experience with them has built an enormous respect for the difficult tasks they have with every call. I’ve continuously fought for better pay, increased bonuses, a more robust retirement, and better equipment, while also working hard to reform the protection systems in place that support our officers. I’ll always remain dedicated to supporting our law enforcement teams because when they’re taken care of, our neighborhoods are safe and our community remains a place where people want to raise their families.”

KNOX COUNTY IS GROWING, FAST. DO YOU THINK THAT’S A GOOD THING?

Kim Frazier: “It’s how you manage growth that matters. Knox County is a place people want to live, work, and raise a family. That’s a testament to our schools, our safety, our natural beauty, and our strong sense of community. In that sense, growth reflects success. But growth without planning can strain roads, schools, public safety, and infrastructure. It can also change the character of communities in ways residents didn’t ask for. That’s why I’ve made responsible growth a priority. We updated decades-old growth and land use plans so we’re not reacting to development, we’re guiding it. We worked to ensure infrastructure improvements can be tied to rezoning approvals so growth helps pay for the impact it creates. And I’ve consistently evaluated development proposals based on whether they fit the character and form of the surrounding community. So yes, growth can be a good thing when it happens with purpose and not under pressure. It can bring opportunity, economic vitality, and a broader tax base. But only if we manage it thoughtfully, protect what makes Knox County special, and make sure existing residents aren’t left paying the price for poor planning. My focus isn’t on stopping growth. It’s shaping it responsibly.”

Beau Hawk: “Knox County is a great place to live and raise a family. That’s a great thing that has led to more young people choosing to stay, and that’s led people from across the country to see our community as an attractive place to move. It’s hard to say if growth is good or bad, because it is happening whether we like it or not — and it’s up to us to shape what it looks like. I see it as our responsibility to ensure that growth is respectful of residents, retains our affordability, and keeps the character of our communities intact.”

Betsy Henderson: “A growing and thriving community is a blessing, but reckless, unchecked development is not. We must take a proactive, conservative approach that ensures economic opportunity without sacrificing our identity. That means supporting responsible expansion while preserving the character that makes East Tennessee home. The County is developing plans for the next 20 years. I served on the committee that reviewed the Advanced Knox plan. I did not vote for that plan because it opened up more than 9,000 acres of rural land for development across Knox County. I have heard from people across the county who do not support this effort, yet my opponents continue pushing it forward. We are blessed to live in a community that people want to join. But this is our community, and we should determine its future. As your mayor, I will listen to the people and ensure we grow in a way that protects what we love about East Tennessee.”

Larsen Jay: “People from across the country have now discovered Knoxville, and yes, the growth comes with them. When people discover how wonderful it is to be a part of East Tennessee, they naturally want to join our community. Growth is inevitable when you have such a special place, but I think the most important thing with growth is how you manage it. You either have a thriving, growing county, or you have a dying one, and I’m excited about the future of the now-third-largest county in Tennessee. Yes, we have growing pains, but I believe we can manage through them. Growth brings great-paying jobs, opportunities for our children, and many more possibilities, as long as we have strong leadership with a clear vision and a steadfast dedication to preserving what makes Knox County special.”

Community issues have been questioned during the campaign

Question: Is the Knox County Government transparent with the budget process and expenditures of taxpayer funds?

Answer: Every quarter of every fiscal year, your Knox County Commission calls a FINANCIAL COMMITTEE REVIEW, which is a public meeting, fully noticed and open to comments for any Knox County Citizen. The Knox County commissioners receive detailed reports, both verbally and in writing (all available), from our Knox County Trustee, the Knox County Schools Finance team, and the Knox County Government Finance team. The meeting is public, so the commission hears from the community, and it is an opportunity for commissioners to offer additional accountability and request other financial income or expenditures of the budgeted funds. Every quarter of every fiscal year, your Knox County Commission also has an AUDIT COMMITTEE REVIEW, which is also open to the public. Every dollar is followed by internal and external auditors.

Question: Why were over 9,000 acres of rural land moved to planned growth?

Answer: The entire commission and the mayor worked for three years to adopt a new comprehensive growth plan (AdvanceKnox), which hadn’t been updated in over 20 years, and we all redefined the areas of growth and updated our maps. Not a single person’s property was force-rezoned. For more context: In 1998, the state mandated counties across Tennessee under PC 1101 to create and adopt a 20-year policy framework that guides growth and development, called a Growth Policy Plan.  This statute required the classification of land in a county into 3 areas: Planned Growth, Rural, and Urban Growth.  These designations are a guide for land use in an area based on community character, supportive infrastructure, or planned improvements.  Zoning is regulatory, addresses actual use, and is determined by the County Commission.  The statute encouraged a regular review of the Growth Policy Plan to assess changing conditions in an area.  Knox County adopted a plan in 2001 and then never looked at it again.

Over the course of 25 years, land within those designated areas has been rezoned, primarily from Agriculture to Planned Residential. This means that thousands of acres that were once zoned Agriculture in the designated Rural Area have been rezoned, developed, improved, or included in a planned infrastructure improvement plan. The review of the Growth Policy Plan was a robust effort that included citizens, professionals, business owners, the school district, planners, engineers, utility companies, and farmers. When the commission began reviewing every parcel across this county in 2022 as part of this process, they recognized the need to align the land use designations of these parcels with the current use on the growth map.

The update of the Growth Policy Plan brought together past development decisions and future potential decisions for the next 20 years. The outcome was approximately 9200 acres reclassified. Again, it’s important for people to understand that the Growth Policy Plan land use designation is a guide and only zoning regulations determine actual use. Parcels in the Planned Growth Area zoned Agriculture REMAINED agriculturally zoned.  No zoning ordinances were changed and can only be amended by the County Commission.

Please fact-check all candidate claims to ensure we select the best leadership for our community.

The websites for each candidate

KnoxTNToday will share other primary race candidate views in future articles.

Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook and Instagram. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our Free Newsletter.