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, Mayor’s, and Judge’s races. Today, we cover the four candidates for Knox County Trustee who are on the ballot in the Knox County Primary Election to be held May 5, 2026: Justin Biggs, Barry Hawkins, Nick McBride (Republicans), and Stephen Hood (Democrat). 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 four questions. We are providing the responses that reflect those questions in alphabetical order.
What motivated you to run for County Trustee, and what do you hope to achieve in this role?
Justin Biggs: The reason I ran for County Trustee will always be something I think about every single day, and it’s one of the things that drives me every day. The People…The People of Knox County! A place where I was born and raised, a place where I’m raising my daughter, a place I hope to always call home! Where community matters, and members of this great community deserve a government that is present and accessible to them. And for those who face mobility limitations or health complications, I have and will continue to bring Government to the People, through our mobile office program. What do I hope to achieve in my second term? I want the Trustee’s office in my second term to be able to continue to prosper not only with our positive impact in the investment sector, but also in the technological advancement field through partnering with our software provider and county IT. So, it is more cost-efficient than other fee offices have tried to do previously. My number one goal in my second term will continue to be to provide the best and most efficient services to our citizens of our Great County.
Barry Hawkins: That’s easy. My motivation is to serve. That’s something I have done my entire life. I’ve served others, I have focused on helping other people and trying to make their lives better. I have held many jobs during my life journey and the most rewarding experience is when someone looks you square in the eye and says thank you. That’s my motivation.
Stephen Hood: As a taxpayer, I was extremely disappointed to learn of the problematic behavior by the current and former holders of that office. As a longtime public servant, I know what a sacred duty it is to manage taxpayer dollars and government equipment with respect and diligence. I have a strong respect for rules and regulations, which is what is needed from the leadership of the Trustee’s office. My goal is to restore the public’s trust in the office and prove that Knox County can be responsible with the tax revenue from its citizens.
Nick McBride: The out-of-control spending and lack of trust our community has in the Trustee’s Office is what motivated me to run. The current Trustee has wasted taxpayer money with bloated staff numbers, a fleet of unnecessary trucks, and travel expenses exceeding limits set by state statute. As a person who has chosen a career in County Government, I know the importance of employees and elected officials being transparent, trustworthy, accountable, and qualified for the positions they hold. Being a Public Servant means that you put the needs of the county and its citizens before your own, without question, every single time. And having integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. I believe my record and character reflect those qualities.
What specific experience do you have that qualifies you for the role, and can you describe any previous roles where you managed large amounts of data or public records?
Justin Biggs: As a seasoned veteran of the Trustee’s office. I have built my career from the ground up, gaining experience at every level of office operations. As the current Trustee, I have been able to utilize twenty-plus years of experience in the Trustees’ Office to provide the best numbers any administration has ever seen. Through proper investing, record-breaking tax sales, and new innovative programs like C-PACER. I have brought in excess revenues of $79 million. When I took office, we had over 14,000 delinquent properties in Knox County, and now, we have fewer than 5,000 delinquent properties. This, on top of the billions of tax dollars we have collected, makes my tenure as Trustee one of the most profitable in Knox County history. All while improving our partnership with the community and providing the best services our citizens have had the opportunity to experience!
Barry Hawkins: I’m very fortunate to have both work experience and managerial experience within the Trustee’s office. When I began my time in the Trustee’s office, I started at the very bottom, answering phones, then opening mail, to delinquent collection, tax sale service, helping with tax sale auctions, bank reconciliations, then payment processing, and finally electronic payment processing and assisting with mortgage payment processing. I kept my eyes and ears open and learned what to and when to do it. There’s not another candidate for this office that can offer the experience that I can offer.
Stephen Hood: As a DOD civilian, I planned, evaluated, implemented, and maintained several Multimillion-dollar projects. I also served as a Contracting Officer’s Representative, ensuring the contracts were being fulfilled and all applicable laws and regulations were followed. I have been trusted to protect and maintain data and public records from many sources during my years of public service. Most recently, I have been instrumental in selecting and maintaining the software used in my department at the University of Tennessee to ensure patient data is secure, accurate, and available to those authorized to see it. Not only do I have experience protecting and processing data as a public employee, but I also have a background in cybersecurity and understand the technical safeguards that need to be present.
Nick McBride: I have held supervisory and management positions in numerous organizations and nonprofits at the local and state levels. During my tenure in the Register’s office, I have also received many awards at the local, state, and regional levels. I maintain an extensive record of ongoing training and a commitment to being fully informed on current laws and procedures. Two examples: Completion of Certified County Finance Officer from the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury on June 5, 2025, and Certified Public Manager from the University of Tennessee Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership on February 4, 2026. As I have been fully committed to improving my knowledge and ability in the Register’s office, I will do the same in the Trustee’s office. The Register is responsible for the safekeeping and accuracy of documents pertaining to real property, people’s most valuable assets. My office has been recognized as one of the best in the state. We have also recently digitized over 10 million pages of recorded documents dating back to the mid 1700’s. These accomplishments more than qualify me for the position of Trustee.
What do you believe are the most important responsibilities of the Trustee?
Justin Biggs: I believe the most important responsibility of the Trustee is protecting the tax dollars while providing excellent service to the public. This means managing the county funds responsibly and investing properly. Guaranteeing taxes are collected fairly and efficiently through our 6 convenient locations, which are properly staffed, so your waiting is minimal. Ensuring eligible residents have access to our tax freeze and relief programs by going to the State House and State Senate to fight for the $60,000 income increase for our Tax Freeze recipients. The Trustee is more than a title; it is a responsibility to the people of this County, which I take seriously!
Barry Hawkins: The County Trustee in Tennessee acts as the general banker and treasurer for the county government, with three primary duties
#1 Collect all county property taxes
#2 Receive and disburse county funds
#3 Invest idle county funds as directed by the Knox County Investment Committee
The Trustee also keeps detailed financial records and administers state-funded tax relief programs for elderly, disabled, or veteran homeowners.
Stephen Hood: Managing the funds moving in and out of the department with integrity and respect is the top responsibility of the Trustee. The County depends on the department to collect the tax dollars owed and to ensure the bills of the County are paid in a timely fashion. The actions of this office ensure that the Knox County Government has the funding it needs to fulfill its duties.
Nick McBride: First and foremost, the responsibility of the Trustee is to be a good financial steward of the County’s money. I would ensure that we’re collecting property taxes in a timely manner. I would have timely accounting procedures and disbursement of funds. I would invest idle funds, provide exceptional customer service, eliminate wasteful spending, hold regular, timely tax sales, and maintain good working relationships with other county offices.
How do you plan to maintain accountability within the office of the Trustee
Justin Biggs: Accountability starts with remembering who we work for – the taxpayers. Maintaining the structure of the Trustee’s Office to best suit the Knox County citizens is a major part of our mission. The Trustee’s office is entrusted with millions of dollars that belong to the people of this county. I will maintain accountability through strong financial controls, clear procedures, stellar customer service to the taxpayers, and sincerity with the public. In being sincere to the public, I have and will continue to clearly communicate how the taxpayers’ dollars are handled, and ensure residents understand the services and programs available to them. My door is always open to taxpayers, county officials, and staff. Listening to concerns and responding quickly helps build trust and ensure the office stays focused on serving the public. Accountability starts with leadership, and I believe good leadership means continually reviewing how the office functions and making sure we are serving Knox County in the best possible way. At the end of the day, the goal is to operate the Trustee’s office in a way that earns and maintains the trust of the taxpayers of Knox County. Every resident of Knox County should feel confident that their tax dollars are being managed carefully and used in ways that truly benefit our community. That confidence grows when records are accurate, processes are consistent, and the office communicates openly with county leadership and with the public. I am honored and proud to serve as your Knox County Trustee, and I will continue to strive to help Knox County to reach its full potential.
Barry Hawkins: Accountability comes down to doing the right thing for the right reason. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s something you either have or you don’t. It all starts with the office holders; they have to realize the bank account is owned by the citizens of Knox County. It’s not their personal piggy bank. If they think it’s ok to overspend for office vehicles when they are not really needed, that’s a lack of accountability. If an office holder hires several of their friends to give them jobs as a reward for helping them get elected, that’s a lack of accountability. If you choose a higher-priced vendor to help a friend, that’s a lack of accountability. Finally, one thing I propose is greater cooperation with the Knox County Finance Department, the Knox County Auditor, and the Knox County Commission to examine the Knox County Trustee’s office on a regular basis and conduct unscheduled audits. The amount of money that flows through the Trustee’s office necessitates openness and accountability at all times, not just end of year audits. Any news outlet is welcome to come inspect accounts, review transactions, review transfers of funds, and to ask questions and get answers, I’ll provide space and access.
Stephen Hood: I plan to review all policies in place in the office, looking for opportunities to add or improve guardrails where needed and provide clarity to the grey areas. I will also engage with auditors to make sure there are no problematic practices that need to be addressed and to identify areas where modifications can be made to ensure accuracy and improve transparency.
Nick McBride: Maintaining and rebuilding accountability in the Trustee’s office will begin with leading by example. To rebuild trust in the office, I will thoroughly assess the current state and implement changes to address problems caused by the incumbent’s carelessness. Once that is corrected, I will ensure that the office is staffed by competent employees and that all office systems provide up-to-date, necessary functions. I feel that my integrity, institutional knowledge, education, and experience will translate into trust and security for the citizens, knowing that I will always make choices in the best interest of our County and be accountable to our citizens.
Campaign links for each candidate.
KnoxTNToday will share other primary-race candidates’ views in future articles.
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