Howard Phillips hosted a kickoff for Bob Thomas for county mayor – over a year ahead of the election. The crowd was spectacular, but Thomas lost. So, on Thursday, Phillips ate crow (actually barbecue) and hosted an event for Glenn Jacobs, the Republican nominee for county mayor. Linda Haney is the Democratic nominee.
The crowd was good, but different. Jacobs tends to draw folks not usually seen at Republican events. Special guest Jim Ross, known as “Good Ol’ JR” on the WWE wrestling circuit, was unable to attend. But Jacobs got another wrestler, Rusev, to endorse him.
Wrestling fans lined up for pictures as the Matthew Hickey Band belted out hard country songs.
WWE wrestlers Glenn Jacobs (Kane) and Miroslav Barnyashev (Rusev) accept a proclamation from Mayor Tim Burchett declaring it “Rusev Day” in Knox County.
Tim Burchett introduced Jacobs, saying, “He’s one of us … just a little more than most of us.” Jacobs carries 300 pounds on his 7-foot frame. He kept his speech short, thanking Burchett for leaving the county in good shape. “I don’t have to go in and clean up a mess.”
Jacobs said his priorities will be attracting jobs and “giving kids the tools to succeed,” whether in college or in a trade.
Early voting starts today (7/13) for the Aug. 2 election. The winner will take office in September.