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 and Mayor’s races. Today, we cover the three candidates for Knox County General Sessions Judge Division IV who are on the ballot in the Knox County Primary Election to be held May 5, 2026: Andrea Kline and Rhonda Lee on the Republican ballot, with Ben Houston II 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 five questions. We are providing the responses that reflect those questions.
Why do you want to be a General Sessions Judge?
Ben Houston: While I enjoy my current law practice, I am ready to take on a new challenge. I believe that my twenty-one years of experience in a wide variety of practice areas will enable me to fairly and impartially consider the variety of cases that I will be hearing as a General Sessions Court Judge. Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how important a fair, efficient, and respectful courtroom is to families and businesses. I want to serve Knox County by ensuring that every person who enters the courtroom is treated with dignity and that justice is administered fairly and consistently.
Andrea Kline: I am seeking to retain the position of General Sessions Court Judge not because I am a career politician, but because I am a career public servant and these specific courts, this work, and this community matter deeply to me. I have spent my entire legal career practicing in these courts, first as a private attorney, then as a prosecutor and now as a judge. I am invested in this court system, and I understand and respect the role of every person present in the court. I respect the rights of the defendants, victims and witnesses. I understand and respect the demanding work of defense attorneys and prosecutors. I respect the work of the court clerks and court officers who keep our courtrooms running every day. And I also understand that a judge must be the steady center of a sometimes very busy courtroom. Having spent years in the courtroom, I have acquired the skills and institutional knowledge to manage the challenges of large and fast-paced dockets fairly and efficiently, and I would be honored to continue to serve our community as General Sessions Court Judge.
Rhonda Lee: The General Sessions Court is the People’s Court. I want to be the People’s Judge. Courts should be elected by the people and for the people. I do not believe the government insiders should control the courts.
1. Fair and equal justice: Every person who comes before the court deserves to be treated fairly, regardless of their background, income, or connections. I will apply the law equally, swiftly, and without favoritism. Justice delayed is justice denied—and I’m committed to ensuring that no one waits longer than necessary for their day in court.
Key Commitments:
- Apply the law consistently and impartially
- Treat every person with dignity and respect
- Ensure swift resolution of cases
- Eliminate any perception of favoritism
2. Uphold the Constitution: The Constitution is the foundation of our justice system. Every person who appears before the court has constitutional rights that must be protected and respected. As a defense attorney, I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring these rights are upheld—and I’ll continue that commitment from the bench.
Key Commitments:
- Protect due process rights for all
- Ensure proper application of search and seizure law
- Uphold the presumption of innocence
- Protect the rights of the accused while ensuring public safety
3. Victims’ Rights – Victims of crime deserve to be heard, respected, and protected. While our justice system must protect the rights of the accused, we must never forget the victims who have been harmed. I will prioritize victim rights and participation while still allowing for rehabilitation when appropriate.
Key Commitments:
- Ensure victims are kept informed of case progress
- Provide opportunities for victim impact statements
- Support appropriate restitution
- Balance accountability with rehabilitation
- Protect Our Children. The safety and welfare of children must be a top priority in our courts. Cases involving children require special care, sensitivity, and urgency. I will ensure that child welfare cases are handled with the attention and priority they deserve, always keeping the best interests of children at the forefront.
Key Commitments:
- Prioritize child welfare cases
- Ensure child-friendly court procedures when appropriate
- Work with child advocacy organizations
- Support families while protecting children from harm
Political Experience
Ben Houston: I have practiced law for 21 years in Knox County and the surrounding counties. As part of my practice, I have represented those going through divorce, victims of employment discrimination, victims of domestic violence, those charged with criminal offenses, both tenants and landlords in landlord/tenant disputes, consumers who have been the victim of unfair and deceptive trade practices, and tort victims. This wide range of legal experience will enable me to fairly and impartially decide the various types of cases that will come before me as a General Sessions Court Judge. This experience has also given me a deep understanding of how court decisions affect real families and our community.
Andrea Kline: The first time I sought appointment or election for any public office was when I applied for and then received the Knox County Commission Appointment for General Sessions Court Judge, Division IV, last December. I was extremely honored to receive the Judicial Appointment, and my 30 years of legal experience provided me with the depth and breadth of legal and institutional knowledge to prepare me to take the bench on day one. I began my legal career in 1995 in private practice, where I handled civil and personal-injury matters, domestic cases, represented indigent criminal and juvenile defendants, and served as guardian ad litem for vulnerable adults and children. In 2000, I was appointed by District Attorney General Randy Nichols to serve as an Assistant District Attorney General and was later reappointed by District Attorney General Charme Allen to continue in that position. Over the last 30 years, I have practiced in all the Knox County Criminal Courts and many of the civil courts. I have prosecuted thousands of cases and have efficiently and effectively managed very large and demanding caseloads on a daily basis. One of the most meaningful accomplishments of my career was building the first Elder Abuse Special Prosecution Unit in the State of Tennessee and helping to draft and lobby for new legislation that strengthened protections for elderly and vulnerable adult victims throughout our State. I also took part in a statewide public service announcement focused on elder abuse prevention and served as the Legislative Liaison for the Knox County District Attorney’s Office.
Rhonda Lee: Knox County Commissioner, District 7. Serving the 4th year of my term. Fighter for Justice: Exposed government waste, advocated for transparency, and championed fiscal responsibility to protect taxpayers. Worked to improve our county infrastructure needs, promoted quality education for our children, and teacher raises. Rigorously supported law enforcement in pay increases. Worked to improve the quality of life for our families in Knox County. Protected land rights of citizens and worked for planned development, not urban sprawl. I have worked on many political campaigns to get Republicans elected to office, starting with President Ronald Reagan. I am very involved in the Republican Party and a member of the following: Halls Republican Club, Powell Republican Club, West Knox Republican Club, Women’s Republican Club, Volunteer Republican Club, Tennessee Republican Party, Knox County Conservative Party, Knox for Liberty, Tennessee Right for Life, and Turning Point U.S.A. Lifelong Republican who has always voted Republican
3 Priorities for the Court
Ben Houston: My top priorities as Judge will be 1) To ensure that everyone who appears before the court is afforded due process and equal protection under the law as required by both our state and federal constitutions. 2) To prioritize deciding cases in a fair and impartial manner. 3) To ensure that cases are adjudicated in a timely manner.
Andrea Kline: As your General Sessions Court Judge, my three top priorities for the court are as follows: 1. Know, apply, and uphold the rule of law fairly and impartially by listening to the facts of each case, then applying the law and making prompt, consistent decisions without regard to personal opinion, public pressure, or politics. 2. Protect Constitutional Rights and ensure Due Process, and allow every individual who has a legal interest in a proceeding to be heard. 3. Conduct court in a way where time is valued, but justice is never rushed because behind every case number is a human being. I understand the profound impact judicial decisions have on individuals and the community, and I strive to approach each case with careful consideration, respect, and efficiency.
Rhonda Lee 1. Our courts must be a beacon of fairness, efficiency, and compassion—ensuring every Knox Countian receives the justice they deserve. 2. Court Efficiency, and 3. Uphold the Constitution
Do you think a governor should be able to curtail some of the people’s rights? Such as during Covid-19?
Ben Houston: As a judicial candidate, the Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits me from prejudging issues that may come before me in the event that I am elected as Judge. Questions about executive authority during emergencies can involve complex statutory and constitutional analysis and are properly resolved by the courts based on the specific facts and the governing law. Certainly, the global Covid-19 pandemic presented unique challenges that required leaders in our nation to balance public health concerns with the preservation of individual liberties protected by our constitutional framework. While I can’t prejudge whether or not the particular actions of an executive in some currently unforeseen future emergency are lawful, I can state that as a Judge I will always follow the law, including both our state and federal constitutions. Both our state and federal constitutions include provisions guaranteeing certain inalienable rights that we all enjoy including, but not limited to, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to due process of law, and the right to equal protection under the law. As a Judge, I will always work to ensure that the constitutional rights of everyone who appears before me are assiduously protected.
Andrea Kline: I acknowledge and have a strong respect for the separation of powers between the coequal branches of government and strongly respect the individual rights of every citizen. However, I respectfully decline to give a specific answer because doing so could be perceived as undermining the judicial impartiality required of judges.
Rhonda Lee: Absolutely Not. The COVID governmental overreach was what prompted me to get into politics. The mandates, such as vaccines, shots, and masks, infringed on our protected rights.
How could you make good use of taxpayers’ money in court?
Ben Houston: One way that I plan to make good use of taxpayer money as a judge is to carefully balance the need for public safety with the costs associated with incarceration, especially when it comes to persons charged with non-violent offenses who have not yet been convicted of any crime. Incarceration is costly for many reasons. Not only does it cost taxpayers a lot of money to house those awaiting trial, many people lose their jobs as a result of pretrial detention, which can have a devastating impact on both the person being incarcerated and their family. While pretrial detention is sometimes necessary in order to ensure public safety, I will certainly give appropriate consideration to the costs associated with pretrial detention when making decisions regarding pretrial release and the setting of bail. Of course, being mindful of taxpayer resources and the costs associated with pretrial detention does not mean compromising public safety. However, in cases involving non-violent offenses, I will carefully evaluate whether structured conditions of release in lieu of bail can reasonably protect the community and ensure court appearances, reserving pretrial detention for situations where it is truly necessary. Beyond pretrial matters, I also believe courts should operate efficiently, manage dockets effectively, and minimize unnecessary delays. Efficient case management not only reduces costs but also strengthens public confidence in the justice system.
Andrea Kline: The Knox County Sessions Courts are made up of five separate courtrooms, and four of those courts are assigned criminal matters. There is also one civil sessions court. Five Sessions Court Judges preside over the five courts and rotate through them on a weekly basis. Last year, approximately 65,000 cases were docketed and concluded in these five courts. General Sessions Court serves as the gatekeeper for much of the judicial system, and it is a remarkably busy place. Because of the diverse and large caseloads, we must run those courts as efficiently as possible while upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of the folks who appear in those courts. To make good use of taxpayer funds, I strive to be prepared, to start court on time and to be ready to work. Additionally, I respect the time of the witnesses, victims, defendants, and attorneys who appear in court; it is very important to make prompt rulings and to direct court activities in such a way as to avoid unnecessary delays and added costs. Finally, I believe it is necessary that judges and other stakeholders in the judicial system meet regularly to assess how to best use the resources we currently have as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Rhonda Lee: Court Efficiency. Working families shouldn’t have to miss multiple days of work or wait months for their cases to be heard. I will work to clear backlogs, streamline procedures, and expand access to our courts. An efficient court system saves taxpayer money and ensures justice is served in a timely manner.
Key Commitments:
- Reduce case backlogs through better docket management
- Implement efficient scheduling practices
- Explore expanded hours for working families
- Leverage technology to improve court operations
Find more information about these candidates on their websites.
Ben Houston: https://benhoustonforjudge.com/
Andrea Kline: https://andreakline.com/
Rhonda Lee: https://www.voterhondalee.com/
KnoxTNToday will share other primary race candidate views in future articles.
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