Former Knoxville Mayor Daniel Brown, the current city council member for the sixth district, has endorsed Gwen McKenzie to succeed him in that post. He is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to the seat.
“I think she’s the best candidate for the job,” Brown said. “She’s intelligent and thoughtful and the kind of person who will be able to get the job done and work well with our mayor and the city administration.”
Brown was the first African-American mayor of Knoxville.
Additionally, seven of the 12 candidates who ran against McKenzie in the crowded primary election in August have endorsed her in the citywide general election. They are Joyce Brown, Charles Frazier, David Gillette, Zimbabwe Matavou, Damon Rawls, Kennie Riffey and Brandy Slaybaugh.
McKenzie and Realtor Jennifer Montgomery are vying for the District 6 seat in the citywide general election Tuesday, Nov. 7. Montgomery has been endorsed by state and local real estate professionals.
McKenzie, an executive with CVS, has been endorsed by state Rep. Rick Staples, Theotis Robinson, Thomas “Tank” Strickland, Diane Jordan, Victor Ashe, Sam Anderson, Tim Burchett, Brenda Palmer and Larry Cox.