Knox County Mayor's Race Tops $600K in Spending So Far

Early voting starts Wednesday as candidates file latest disclosures ahead of May 5 primary.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:42pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A warm, cinematic painting depicting a solitary ballot box or voting booth in a dimly lit urban setting, with soft diagonal sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of the high-stakes political climate surrounding the Knox County mayoral race.The high-stakes Knox County mayoral race has already seen over $600,000 in spending, reflecting the competitive nature of the contest that could shape the county's political future.Knoxville Today

The Republican race for Knox County mayor has already cost candidates around $600,000, with frontrunner Larsen Jay leading the pack in fundraising and spending. Other high-profile county races, including sheriff and trustee, are also seeing significant financial activity as the primary election approaches on May 5.

Why it matters

The high spending in the Knox County mayoral race reflects the competitive and high-stakes nature of the contest, which could set the political direction for the county. The disclosures also provide insight into which candidates are gaining momentum and resonating with voters through their fundraising and spending efforts.

The details

Larsen Jay, the Republican frontrunner for county mayor, has spent $227,000 and raised $147,000 in the latest reporting period, adding to the $194,000 he spent earlier. His two GOP opponents, Kim Frazier and Betsy Henderson, have spent $63,000 and $71,000 respectively in the latest period. On the Democratic side, Beau Hawk has raised $28,500 and spent $13,000. The race for Knox County sheriff is also heating up, with four Republicans vying for the seat and reporting significant fundraising and spending.

  • Candidates had a Friday deadline to turn in disclosures for the Jan. 16-March 31 period.
  • Early voting starts on Wednesday, April 17, 2026.
  • The primary election is scheduled for May 5, 2026.

The players

Larsen Jay

The Republican frontrunner for Knox County mayor, who has spent the most and raised the most funds in the race so far.

Kim Frazier

A Republican candidate for Knox County mayor, who has spent $63,000 in the latest reporting period.

Betsy Henderson

A Republican candidate for Knox County mayor, who has spent $71,000 in the latest reporting period.

Beau Hawk

The Democratic candidate for Knox County mayor, who has raised $28,500 and spent $13,000 so far.

David Amburn

The chief of detectives for the Knox County Sheriff's Office, who is running for sheriff as a Republican.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Early voting for the Knox County primary election begins on Wednesday, April 17, 2026, leading up to the election day on May 5, 2026.

The takeaway

The financial disclosures in the Knox County mayoral race highlight the intense competition and high stakes involved, as candidates vie for the opportunity to shape the county's political future. Voters will have a chance to weigh in on the direction they want for Knox County when they head to the polls for the primary election on May 5.