Dear Friends,

Jeremy Todd White (a.k.a. Todd White) was arrested yesterday, August 25, and charged with three Class E felonies: two counts of violating residential and work restrictions for sex offenders and one count related to required sex-offender registry information. His bond hearing is scheduled for Thursday, August 27; bond has been set at $5,000 per charge. White resides in the Town of Farragut.

White is a registered sex offender in Tennessee. According to his record, his requirement to register stems from convictions in 2002 for sexual battery and sexual exploitation of children. In 2007, he was also convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. White recently updated his Tennessee registry information on June 29, 2026.

Some of White’s previous crimes were committed in Georgia, where he has been registered as a sex offender under the name of “Jeremy White” since 2006.

Neither the warrants for White’s arrest nor the supporting affidavits have been made public yet.

Under Tennessee law, registered sex offenders are prohibited from being on or near the premises of a school when children under 18 are present. The law makes an exception for an offender to pick-up or drop-off his own child from a school, but only if he has provided written notice of his sex-offender status to the school’s principal when enrolling the child.

Sex offenders are also legally prohibited from being alone with unrelated minors in a private area, including a vehicle.

Each violation of these prohibitions is a Class E felony. The third and subsequent violations are each punishable by a fine of $1,100 and one year of imprisonment.

Between 2022 and 2025, White was often on the campus of St. John Neumann Catholic School. In the last 12 months, he may have had a similar presence at Concord Christian School.

The charges referenced herein are accusations, not evidence of guilt. White is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

Despite multiple conflicts of interest, I intend to follow this story to its conclusion.

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Dear Friends,

Wow, what an upset in the Town of Farragut! The team of Alex Cain, Joey Ruffalo, and Greg Wiberley pulled out a victory by the narrowest of margins. I believe this will be very good for our town in the coming years.

You’ll find all the unofficial results below my signature.

In the Governor’s race, John Rose came up short. Marsha Blackburn will be the Republican nominee for Governor, having won about 43% of the Republican vote to Rose’s 33% and Fritts’s 23%.

Betsy Henderson will be the next Mayor of Knox County, having beaten Democratic candidate Beau Hawk by a surprisingly narrow margin (52.5% to 47.5%).

Republicans did not do well in Knox County school-board races, taking only two of the available five seats.

We have one more election this year: November 3 is the general election for state and federal offices, with early voting beginning on October 14. If you’re not yet registered to vote, you can do so now to be ready for the final election of this midterm cycle.

Thank you for voting!

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Unofficial Election Results
August 6 election, Knox County Republican ballot

Marsha Blackburn, Nominee for Governor (KN recommended John Rose)
Bill Hagerty, Nominee for U.S. Senate
Tim Burchett, Nominee for U.S. House of Representatives District 2
Jimmy Matlock, Nominee for Tennessee Senate District 5
Richard Briggs, Nominee for Tennessee Senate District 7 (KN recommended Kent Morrell)
Jason Zachary, Nominee for Tennessee House of Representatives District 14
Michele Carringer, Nominee for Tennessee House of Representatives District 16
Elaine Davis, Nominee for Tennessee House of Representatives District 18
Dave Wright, Nominee for Tennessee House of Representatives District 19
Justin Lafferty, Nominee for Tennessee House of Representatives District 89
Zach Farrar for State Executive Committeeman District 5
Sherri Garrett for State Executive Committeewoman District 5
Brian Hornback for State Executive Committeeman District 6 (KN recommended Martin Ammons)
Gwen Baxter for State Executive Committeewoman District 6 (KN recommended Jane Chedester)
Jeremy Coffey for State Executive Committeeman District 7
Staci Beeler for State Executive Committeewoman District 7
Emily F. Abbott for Criminal Court Judge Division 1 District 6
Betsy Henderson for County Mayor
Brandon Huckaby (D) for County Commission District 3 (KN recommended Sheri Super)
Barry Beeler for County Commission District 7
Justin D. Cofer for County Commission At-Large Seat 10
Garrett Holt for County Commission At-Large Seat 11
Nick McBride for County Trustee
Andrea Kline for General Sessions Judge Division IV
Brent Gibson for Sheriff
Charlie Susano for Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk
Mike Hammond for Criminal Court Clerk
Richie Beeler for County Clerk
Sherry Witt for Register of Deeds
Breyauna Holloway (D) for Board of Education District 1 (KN recommended Charles Frazier)
Katherine Bike (D) for Board of Education District 4 (KN recommended Ashley Sartelle)
Lee Ann Eaves for Board of Education District 6
Steve Triplett for Board of Education District 7
Brandy Jenkins (D) for Board of Education District 9 (KN recommended Bill Sofield)
Alex Cain for Mayor of the Town of Farragut (by 65 votes!)
Joey Ruffalo for Town of Farragut Alderman, Ward 1 (by 82 votes!)
Greg Wiberly for Town of Farragut Alderman, Ward 2 (by 105 votes!)
All judges were retained

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Dear Friends,

This Thursday, August 6, is election day! This is the general election for Knox County Mayor, County Commissioners, School Board, Town of Farragut Mayor and Aldermen, and other county offices. This election is also the primary for Governor as well as other state and federal offices.

You’ll find my recommendations for all offices on the Knox County Republican sample ballot below my signature.

If you’re wondering whether you really need to vote, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Only 16% of those registered to vote in Knox County cast ballots during the early voting period. With turnout this low, these races are anyone’s to win. If you aren’t sure whether you are registered to vote, you can find out here.

During the early voting period, 42,787 people cast ballots. Of these, 60.4% voted in the Republican primary, 38.3% voted in the Democratic primary, and 1.3% voted only in the general election. Once again, Farragut had the second-highest turnout (7,166) among the county’s eleven early voting locations, surpassed only by the Downtown West location (10,400).

On election day, you must vote at your designated polling place. You can look up your polling place here. Polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Be sure to bring a valid Tennessee photo ID. You do not need to bring your voter registration card, but you may bring it to make things easier for the poll workers.

When you go to vote, you will be asked whether you want a Republican ballot, a Democratic ballot, or a general-election ballot. I suggest asking for the Republican ballot, which includes all the Republican primary races as well as all the general races for Knox County and the Town of Farragut. You can preview the Republican ballot here.

You'll find my candidate recommendations below my signature. To evaluate candidates, I spoke with them, reviewed their websites, attended campaign events, sought the opinions of knowledgeable people whom I trust, and considered endorsements from local conservative organizations. For the Knox County general election, I have simply recommended the Republican candidate for each office.

I evaluated candidates according to my own priorities for public policy: the sanctity of human life, authentic liberty, the rule of law, election integrity, and development that respects private property and the environment. I also considered competency and viability. I’m happy to answer any questions about my choices or the voting process.

So, unless you are providentially hindered, go vote and take a friend with you!

I’d like to close this letter with my gratitude: Last month, Knoxville Nobility popped up on Substack’s list of its Top 100 rising news publications. Substack is cagey about its algorithms, but this is likely due to recent growth in views and paid subscribers. In 2026, Knoxville Nobility articles have received more than 70,000 views.

We didn’t stay on this list for long, but that’s OK. I don’t write for Substack; I write for you all. I appreciate every single subscriber, whether free or paid, and I love hearing from you all. This and all previous Knoxville Nobility articles are archived on our website.

May God continue to pour out His blessings on Tennessee!

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Recommended candidates in Knox County
August 6 election, Republican ballot

Note: Not all of these candidates will appear on your own ballot, but I have made a recommendation for every race on the Republican sample ballot for Knox County.

John Rose for Governor (read my explanation here)
Bill Hagerty for U.S. Senate
Tim Burchett for U.S. House of Representatives
Jimmy Matlock for Tennessee Senate District 5
Kent Morrell for Tennessee Senate District 7
Jason Zachary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 14
No vote for Tennessee House of Representatives District 15 (no qualified Republican candidate)
Michele Carringer for Tennessee House of Representatives District 16
Elaine Davis for Tennessee House of Representatives District 18
Dave Wright for Tennessee House of Representatives District 19
Justin Lafferty for Tennessee House of Representatives District 89
No vote for Tennessee House of Representatives District 90 (no qualified Republican candidate)
Zach Farrar for State Executive Committeeman District 5
Sherri Garrett for State Executive Committeewoman District 5
Martin Ammons for State Executive Committeeman District 6
Jane Chedester for State Executive Committeewoman District 6
Jeremy Coffey for State Executive Committeeman District 7
Staci Beeler for State Executive Committeewoman District 7
Emily F. Abbott for Criminal Court Judge Division 1 District 6
Betsy Henderson for County Mayor
Sheri Super for County Commission District 3
Barry Beeler for County Commission District 7
Justin D. Cofer for County Commission At-Large Seat 10
Garrett Holt for County Commission At-Large Seat 11
Nick McBride for County Trustee
Andrea Kline for General Sessions Judge Division IV
Brent Gibson for Sheriff
Charlie Susano for Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk
Mike Hammond for Criminal Court Clerk
Richie Beeler for County Clerk
Sherry Witt for Register of Deeds
Charles Frazier for Board of Education District 1
Ashley Sartelle for Board of Education District 4
Lee Ann Eaves for Board of Education District 6
Steve Triplett for Board of Education District 7
Bill Sofield for Board of Education District 9
Alex Cain for Mayor (Town of Farragut)
Joey Ruffalo for Alderman, Ward 1 (Town of Farragut)
Greg Wiberly for Alderman, Ward 2 (Town of Farragut)
Retain all judges

Explanations for these choices are available on request—just reply to this email with your phone number and let me know which race(s) interest you.

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Dear Friends,

Olivia “Livi” Berlin has been found. Thank you to everyone who watched and prayed.

Naomi Berlin has asked for continued prayers for their family.

God bless you all,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Dear Friends,

The daughter of Naomi Berlin, former teacher at St. John Neumann Catholic School, has been missing for two days.

Olivia “Livi” was last seen at the Boys & Girls Club on Irwin Street on July 13, 2026, around noon, when she was seen leaving and heading toward N. Central Street. At the time, she was wearing all black clothing, including a black t-shirt, black sweatpants, and Crocs. Livi has blond hair that is dyed pink. If you have any information about her whereabouts, please contact 877-363-8847.

The Berlin family has a special place in my heart.

Please keep an eye out for Livi and pray for her safe return.

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Dear Friends,

You’ll find my recommendations for all offices on the Republican ballot for Knox County below my signature. This ballot includes the general election for Knox County, the Republican primary for state and federal offices, and the non-partisan election for the Town of Farragut.

Early voting begins this Friday, July 17, and continues through Saturday, August 1. Don’t risk a forfeit by waiting until election day on August 6 to cast your ballot. Bank your vote early!

During early voting, you may vote at any polling location in the county. For Farragut residents, the most convenient location is likely the Farragut Community Center (239 Jamestowne Boulevard).

While some locations have more hours, all polls are open during these times:

• Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

• Fridays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

• Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Be sure to bring a valid Tennessee photo ID. You do not need to bring your voter registration card, but you may bring it to make things easier for the poll workers. If you aren’t sure whether you are registered to vote, you can find out here.

When you go to vote, you will be asked whether you want a Republican ballot, a Democratic ballot, or a general-election ballot. I suggest asking for the Republican ballot, which includes all the Republican primary races as well as all the general races for Knox County and the Town of Farragut. You can preview the Republican ballot here.

You'll find the candidates I recommend below my signature. To evaluate candidates, I spoke with them, reviewed their websites, attended campaign events, sought the opinions of knowledgeable people whom I trust, and considered endorsements from local conservative organizations. For the Knox County general election, I have simply recommended the Republican candidate for each office.

I evaluated candidates according to my own priorities for public policy: the sanctity of human life, authentic liberty, the rule of law, election integrity, and development that is both fiscally and environmentally responsible. I also considered competency and viability.

I’m happy to give my reasons for any of my recommendations on request, but I’m going to explain my choice for governor here. Of the three Republican candidates—Marsha Blackburn, John Rose, and Monty Fritts—I’m going to cast my vote for John Rose.

Marsha Blackburn is a non-starter for me, at least in the primary, because she led the effort to weaken the pro-life plank of the Republican platform at the national convention in 2024. She has defended the Tennessee State Funding Board's decision to provide Starbucks with a $30M taxpayer-funded economic incentive to relocate its headquarters to Tennessee. Finally, I think she has been disrespectful to voters by not making herself available at campaign events which are open to the public.

John Rose, whom I have recommended, is a sitting U.S. congressman. He represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District, which covers much of the real estate between Knoxville and Nashville. He is solidly pro-life and has ratings of 100% from Heritage Action and the Family Research Council Action. I agree with most of his policy ideas for Tennessee, and he has proven his leadership as a businessman. He’s a great candidate for governor.

Moreover, Rose has solid funding. He has raised $10.8M, including a personal loan to his own campaign of $9M. As of July 11, he has spent $9.4M campaigning statewide and running radio and television ads.

And Rose is gaining on Blackburn. A poll of likely primary voters conducted by McLaughlin and Associates at the end of June has Rose at 29% and Blackburn at 44%. And that was before Blackburn’s elevator debacle.

So, I’m going to vote for Rose, but I have to say that I love Monty Fritts. (It’s not just a summer thing.) My husband and I donated to his campaign. At his core, Fritts understands freedom, and he has an extraordinary ability to explain it in a way that is both accessible and compelling. He can work a crowd like no one I’ve ever seen. He is a cheerful warrior—both hilarious and inspiring in proper proportion. Conservative clubs across the state have enthusiastically endorsed him.

However, Fritts can’t win the Republican nomination. A reliable source tells me that the ante for a governor’s race in Tennessee is $2M. As of July 11, Fritts has raised $274K, and he has spent most of it. Because Fritts is from East Tennessee, we may have a skewed impression of his statewide popularity. On nearly $20K in bets, Polymarket has his odds of winning at less than 1%.

It’s no use complaining that our elections shouldn’t be for sale. We have to play the game as it is, not as we wish it were. Our founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for the sake of freedom. Two out of three isn’t going to get the job done. Fritts has a great message, but it costs money to get that message out. Those who would like to see Fritts run again in 2030 should start a PAC right now and begin funding it.

In the present race, John Rose is going to need every vote he can get to beat Marsha Blackburn. Please join me in supporting him.

May God continue to pour out His blessings on Tennessee!

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Recommended candidates in Knox County
August 6 election, Republican ballot

Early voting: July 17-August 1

Note: Not all of these candidates will appear on your own ballot, but I have made a recommendation for every race on the Republican sample ballot for Knox County.

John Rose for Governor
Bill Hagerty for U.S. Senate
Tim Burchett for U.S. House of Representatives
Jimmy Matlock for Tennessee Senate District 5
Kent Morrell for Tennessee Senate District 7
Jason Zachary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 14
No vote for Tennessee House of Representatives District 15 (no qualified Republican candidate)
Michele Carringer for Tennessee House of Representatives District 16
Elaine Davis for Tennessee House of Representatives District 18
Dave Wright for Tennessee House of Representatives District 19
Justin Lafferty for Tennessee House of Representatives District 89
No vote for Tennessee House of Representatives District 90 (no qualified Republican candidate)
Zach Farrar for State Executive Committeeman District 5
Sherri Garrett for State Executive Committeewoman District 5
Martin Ammons for State Executive Committeeman District 6
Jane Chedester for State Executive Committeewoman District 6
Jeremy Coffey for State Executive Committeeman District 7
Staci Beeler for State Executive Committeewoman District 7
Emily F. Abbott for Criminal Court Judge Division 1 District 6
Betsy Henderson for County Mayor
Sheri Super for County Commission District 3
Barry Beeler for County Commission District 7
Justin D. Cofer for County Commission At-Large Seat 10
Garrett Holt for County Commission At-Large Seat 11
Nick McBride for County Trustee
Andrea Kline for General Sessions Judge Division IV
Brent Gibson for Sheriff
Charlie Susano for Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk
Mike Hammond for Criminal Court Clerk
Richie Beeler for County Clerk
Sherry Witt for Register of Deeds
Charles Frazier for Board of Education District 1
Ashley Sartelle for Board of Education District 4
Lee Ann Eaves for Board of Education District 6
Steve Triplett for Board of Education District 7
Bill Sofield for Board of Education District 9
Alex Cain for Mayor (Town of Farragut)
Joey Ruffalo for Alderman, Ward 1 (Town of Farragut)
Greg Wiberly for Alderman, Ward 2 (Town of Farragut)
Retain all judges

Explanations for these choices are available on request—just reply to this email with your phone number and let me know which race(s) interest you.

With more than 2700 subscribers, Knoxville Nobility is now one of the most popular Substacks in Knoxville. If you got this email directly, then you already have a free subscription. If you got this email because someone forwarded it to you, you can receive future articles directly to your inbox.

Dear Friends,

The East Tennessee Young Republicans will host a gubernatorial forum with Monty Fritts and John Rose on Friday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at the JTV Theater, 9600 Parkside Drive. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The candidates will give opening statements, followed by a moderated question-and-answer session.

The event is free, but RSVP is recommended due to limited seating.

The governor’s race is especially important, because the governor sets the direction for our state. This is a great opportunity to see two major Republican candidates side by side before early voting begins on July 17.

I haven’t heard of any local opportunities to see the third Republican candidate, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, but she’s a big “no” for me anyway, at least in the primary, because she led the effort to weaken the pro-life plank in the Republican platform at the 2024 national convention.

Video: NewsChannel 5 Nashville: Senator Marsha Blackburn is seemingly determined to avoid interviews

Candidates for other offices will also be at the forum, making it a good opportunity to meet them as well. I suggest downloading the Republican sample ballot and bringing a printed copy with you, so you know who is running for each office. A printed ballot is also useful for taking notes about the candidates.

There are many offices on the Republican sample ballot for Knox County because it combines several elections: the Knox County general election, the Republican primary for state and federal offices, and the Town of Farragut election. A few observations make the ballot more manageable:

1. For the Knox County general election, I’m voting a straight Republican ticket.

2. Not every office is contested.

3. The Knox County Republican sample ballot shows every relevant office, but not every race will appear on your own ballot when you go to vote. Before the forum, look up your voting districts and cross out the races that aren’t relevant for where you live.

Kudos to the East Tennessee Young Republicans for organizing this important event! You can support their good work by donating here.

Fondly,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Dear Friends,

In response to an investigative report published on May 27 by Tyler Whetstone of the Knoxville News Sentinel, Bishop Mark Beckman has issued a statement that the Diocese of Knoxville will no longer seek nor enforce secrecy agreements related to sexual abuse allegations. The statement reads:

Bishop (Mark) Beckman does not intend to seek or enforce nondisclosure or non-disparagement agreements in response to sexual abuse allegations. The Church should never stand as a barrier between a survivor and their ability to heal.

The statement was first received and reported by Whetstone.

This is an astounding development. Only a few bishops in the country have made such a commitment.

In his first article, Whetstone focused on the diocese’s 2019 settlement of a lawsuit brought by Michael Boyd. In 2019, Boyd filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Knoxville, claiming he was sexually molested while a student at Sacred Heart Cathedral School in the early 1990s by a prominent priest and, on at least two occasions, by Bishop Anthony O’Connell—the first bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville (1988-1998).

Both the priest and O’Connell were deceased when Boyd filed his lawsuit.

However, in a 2002 press conference, Bishop O’Connell publicly admitted to molesting adolescent boys in the 1980s while he was rector of a high-school seminary in Missouri. O’Connell made this admission while he was bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach, where he was assigned after his tenure as bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville. Following his admission, the Vatican immediately accepted O’Connell’s resignation, and he lived out his remaining days at a monastery in South Carolina. The Diocese of Knoxville now lists O’Connell among its priests that have been credibly accused of abuse.

While admitting no fault, the Diocese of Knoxville settled Boyd’s lawsuit in 2019 for an undisclosed amount. However, one condition of the settlement was this non-disparagement clause:

Releasor [Boyd] does hereby agree that he will not make any disparaging remark to anyone related to the facts and circumstances related to this settlement or regarding the Diocese of Knoxville and any of employees or agents.

This restriction appears to violate the USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (also known as the “Dallas Charter”) which reads:

Article 3: Dioceses/eparchies are not to enter into settlements which bind the parties to confidentiality, unless the victim/survivor requests confidentiality and this request is noted in the text of the agreement.

Since Boyd was a child when the alleged abuse occurred, the settlement condition also appears to run afoul of a 2018 Tennessee law which states:

Any provision of a settlement agreement that has the purpose or effect of concealing the details relating to a claim of child sexual abuse… is void and unenforceable as contrary to the public policy of this state; except that identifying information concerning a victim of child sexual abuse shall be deemed and maintained as confidential.

Both the Dallas Charter and the Tennessee law were in force when the Diocese of Knoxville settled with Boyd.

Thus, Bp. Beckman's statement is a welcome commitment to the Dallas Charter and Tennessee law. Indeed, his statement appears to go even further, extending this commitment to allegations by adults as well as those involving children.

Susan Vance, a volunteer with the Abuse Survivor Coalition, praised Beckman’s decision, but she wants to see it committed to policy.

“This decision isn’t binding on the diocese until it is signed by the bishop and given the force of a diocesan policy,” Vance told me by email. “If it’s just on the website, it could easily be removed and denied in the future.”

“And it should also be read at every Mass and put in as an insert into church bulletins,” Vance continued.

Vance also wants to see the same policy throughout Tennessee:

“We want to ask Bishop Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville and Bishop David Talley of the Diocese of Memphis if they will follow suit and do the same as Bishop Beckman has done,” Vance stated in a video message.

The attorney who the negotiated the settlement with Boyd on behalf of the Diocese of Knoxville, Gino Marchetti, also represents the Diocese of Nashville in some matters. Therefore, it is possible that similar restrictions have been included in settlements involving the Diocese of Nashville. Indeed, such agreements are commonly used to settle civil litigation.

In his article, Whetstone addressed another aspect of the diocese’s use of non-disparagement clauses. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) uses an independent auditing firm, StoneBridge Business Partners, to evaluate dioceses’ compliance with the Dallas Charter. However, the Diocese of Knoxville never reported its settlements invoking NDAs to StoneBridge.

“When asked directly about the non-disparagement clause in Boyd's settlement, StoneBridge partner Courtney Brock said the diocese would not have been found in compliance if StoneBridge had known about the deal,” wrote Whetstone.

In 2023, Susan Vance wrote a letter to Archbishop Shelton Fabre imploring him to declare blanket relief from any non-disclosure or non-disparagement clauses imposed by the Diocese of Knoxville.

“Can you make this right?” Vance wrote to Abp. Fabre. “The action of a blanket removal of all these silencing agreements for any victim of the Diocese of Knoxville will distinguish you among your colleagues in your faithfulness to the Dallas Charter of 2002 and Vos Estis Lux Mundi. I hope you will take this path.”

Answering through diocesan counsel, Abp. Fabre did not address Vance’s request for a blanket removal, but he did offer to meet with individuals who thought they had been silenced.

Although it has been more than a month, the Diocese of Knoxville has not yet published Bp. Beckman’s statement through its website or newspaper.

God bless us everyone,

Jennifer Hay
Jennifer.Hay@KnoxvilleNobility.com
865.804.9721

P.S. I’m grateful to Susan Vance for her tireless efforts. You can follow her recent work here.

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Dear Friends,

On Wednesday, June 24, pro-life Tennesseans gathered on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol for the unveiling and dedication of a new monument honoring aborted children. The monument is a simple black stone engraved with these words:

In Memory of the Unborn
The Baby whose life was lost
The Mother who regrets
The Father who couldn’t protect
The Child who lost a sibling
& Society, which is coarsened by every deliberate attack on human life
Dedicated June 24, 2026

The date of the dedication was significant. It was the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) which returned the authority to regulate abortion to the states. This Supreme Court decision triggered the enactment of Tennessee’s Human Life Protection Act (2019) which rendered abortion illegal in Tennessee.

About 125 people attended the dedication including about 50 active or retired legislators and other officials. About 25 protestors were also there.

The monument was authorized by legislation passed in 2018, though no public funds were used to make it.

Legislators who sponsored the original bill spoke at the dedication, including Janice Bowling, Tom Hatcher, Jerry Sexton, Steve Southerland, and Bill Dunn. “We want to give all the glory to God for everything,” said Sexton in his remarks. Others spoke about giving people a peaceful, dignified place to mourn.

After the dedication, people were invited to lay roses at the base of the monument and take photographs. State troopers stood behind the memorial to shield it from protestors.

“They told me we couldn’t have this memorial on the capitol grounds,” Jerry Sexton told me afterwards. “I told them it was going to be here, or it wasn’t going to be anywhere. It had to go here, because there’s a holocaust memorial on one side and a memorial to slavery on the other. What both of those have in common is that they weren’t considered real people. Both of those memorials say, ‘Never forget,’ but here we are killing babies, and it’s legal to do it. I didn’t think we were going to get it passed, but we did.”

At the reception following the dedication, Will Brewer, attorney for Tennessee Right to Life, spoke about the process for realizing the memorial after it was approved. “The original cost from the Capitol Commission was $250K, but Jeff Wallace at Maryville Monuments provided the stone, and in the end, we got it all done for about $7500.”

Donations for the upkeep of the monument can be made through a charity established by Senator Tom Hatcher.

“This memorial stands for something deeply important: a recognition that every Life matters,” Tennessee Right to Life said in an email to supporters. “This is a place to honor the lives lost and a public declaration that Tennesseans will not forget.”

I was honored to be there for you all,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721

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Check your voter registration status here
Register to vote here
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Dear Friends,

Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Monty Fritts will speak at Calvary Chapel Chattanooga on Thursday, June 25, at 6:00 p.m. Knoxville Nobility is a co-sponsor of this free event organized by Tennessee Stands. If you would like to attend, RSVP here.

If you have friends and family in Chattanooga, please let them know about this event.

My husband and I will be attending, and we have room for carpoolers from Knoxville; just reply to this email if you are interested in joining us.

Monty Fritts is a sitting Tennessee state representative—one of only two who voted against that ridiculous bill requiring private insurance companies to cover annual refills of contraception. He represents House District 32, covering most of Roane County and part of Loudon County, including Lenoir City. In the gubernatorial race, he has received the endorsement of a local conservative organization, Knox for Liberty.

Among his conservative positions, Fritts promises to “defend the unborn with the full authority of the state.”

Other major candidates running for the Republican nomination for governor include U.S. Congressman John Rose and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn.

I’m grateful to Tennessee Stands for providing us with this opportunity to meet Tennessee Rep. Monty Fritts.

Fondly,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721

Check your voter registration status here
Register to vote here
Downloadable training video: How to conduct a voter-registration drive at your church

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Dear Friends,

Wednesday, June 24th, marks the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to give states the responsibility to legislate on abortion, thus ending the federal prerogative asserted in the 1973 case, Roe v. Wade. This is also the feast of St. John the Baptist, who leapt in his mother’s womb at Mary’s greeting (Luke 1:41).

Both mourning and celebration are appropriate to the occasion. We mourn because more than 63,000,000 babies have been killed by abortion. Their mothers are deeply wounded; they grieve not only their own children, but also the possibility of succeeding generations—grandchildren and great grandchildren. Fathers and siblings, too, mourn the losses they were helpless to prevent. And we lament that abortion remains legal in Tennessee, so long as it is the mother who kills her own baby by ingesting mail-order Mifepristone and Misoprostol.

Yet we also celebrate, because, with the fall of Roe, we have real hope of providing legal protection to babies and their mothers. It is no longer legal for medical professionals to deliberately end the life of an unborn baby in Tennessee. And organizations like the Pregnancy Resource Center save lives and restore families every day. Abortion is part of the public discourse now like never before. On the left and the right, politicians must articulate what they will do about abortion if they hope to get elected. And sonograms clearly reveal the humanity of the child in the womb to anyone with eyes to see.

For all these reasons, I encourage you to find a way to mark this important anniversary on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026. Here are two opportunities:

1. Pray a Rosary with Fr. Tim Sullivan at 9:00 a.m. near Knoxville’s Planned Parenthood (710 N. Cherry Street). Plan to arrive 10 minutes early and park along Washington Avenue on the side of the street which is opposite the Planned Parenthood building.

2. Travel to Nashville for the dedication of a monument to the unborn. Monuments are powerful reminders of what has been and what may yet be. The dedication will take place at 1:30p.m. CT on the Capitol Grounds (600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Nashville) with a reception to follow. If you plan to attend, please RSVP here.

I will be driving our full-sized van to the dedication in Nashville, and I have room for four more fellow pilgrims. If you’re interested, just reply to this email for details.

Let’s take some time on June 24th to stand up for Rachel as she weeps for her children (Matthew 2:16-18, Jeremiah 31:15). And let us resolve anew to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

Fondly,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

Check your voter registration status here
Register to vote here
Downloadable video: How to conduct a voter-registration drive at your church

Subscribe now

With more than 2700 subscribers, Knoxville Nobility is now one of the most popular Substacks in Knoxville. If you got this email directly, then you already have a free subscription. If you got this email because someone forwarded it to you, you can receive future articles directly to your inbox.

Dear Friends,

Maybe you just want to see what the crazy lady looks like. Or maybe you’re inspired to organize a voter-registration drive at your church.

Either way, watch this 25-minute training video. I walk through the Tennessee voter-registration process from start to finish and explain the do’s and don’ts of conducting a church-based voter-registration drive.

By the end, you’ll have everything you need to get started. The documents referenced in the video are linked below my signature.

Every year, the office of Tennessee’s Secretary of State partners with colleges and universities across Tennessee to encourage every eligible college student to register to vote. Are Tennessee churches willing to do similar work to ensure that Christians are well represented among the voting populace? I submit that the health of our society depends on it.

Viva Cristo Rey!

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

Check your voter registration status here
Register to vote here
One-page follow-up sheet for newly registered voters
One-page guide for voter-registration volunteers

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With more than 2700 subscribers, Knoxville Nobility is now one of the most popular Substacks in Knoxville. If you got this email directly, then you already have a free subscription. If you got this email because someone forwarded it to you, you can receive future articles directly to your inbox.

Dear Friends,

Tonight is the training on how to organize church-based voter-registration drives in Tennessee. You’ll find the link to join the Zoom meeting below my signature.

I’ll open the meeting at about 7:50 p.m. We’ll get started about 8:00 p.m. and wrap up around 8:30 p.m.

See you there!

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

Jennifer Hay is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Church-based voter-registration drives in Tennessee

Time: Jun 10, 2026, 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

or join using this link:

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/5031134521?omn=84347330313

Meeting ID: 503 113 4521

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Dear Friends,

Tennessee gubernatorial candidate John Rose will be the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the West Knox Republican Club on Monday, June 8, at 6:30 p.m.

This meeting will be held in the dining room of the Red Lobster restaurant at 8040 Kingston Pike and will offer attendees a unique opportunity to hear directly from the candidate and ask questions.

John Rose is a sitting U.S. congressman. He represents Tennessee's 6th Congressional District, which covers much of the real estate between Knoxville and Nashville. He has ratings of 100% from Heritage Action and the Family Research Council Action.

In his race for governor of Tennessee, Rep. Rose has solid funding. According to his campaign, he has raised $6.5 million, including a $5 million personal loan. Further, 92% of donations have come from Tennesseans representing all 95 counties.

Other major Republican candidates in the governor's race include state Rep. Monty Fritts and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.

I’m grateful to the West Knox Republican Club, led by Gary Loe, for providing us with this opportunity to meet Rep. Rose.

Fondly,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721

P.S. If you’re interested in attending my training on organizing a voter-registration drive at your church (via Zoom on Wednesday, June 10, at 8 p.m.) reply to this email, and I’ll send you the credentials.

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With more than 2700 subscribers, Knoxville Nobility is now one of the most popular Substacks in Knoxville. If you got this email directly, then you already have a free subscription. If you got this email because someone forwarded it to you, you can receive future articles directly to your inbox.

Dear Friends,

If there is a silver lining to Tennessee’s lack of party registration, it is this: churches can easily conduct voter-registration drives that are completely apolitical. In Tennessee, a volunteer who helps someone register to vote does not thereby learn the political leanings of the assisted person. It just isn’t part of the process.

On June 10 at 8:00 p.m., I will host an online training session entitled “Helping People Register to Vote in Tennessee.” I’ll cover the logistics of voter registration as well as suggestions for organizing church-based campaigns. To attend, simply reply to this email or text me your email address at 865-804-9721, and I’ll send you the meeting credentials.

In the 1930s, members of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma, Alabama, began holding voter-registration sessions in their church basement. In 1964, eight leaders of the congregation invited Dr. Martin Luther King to use their church as a base for civil-rights activities in the South, especially voter-registration campaigns. Not all Tabernacle members supported this move; some feared that such a public stance might invite retaliation like that experienced by churches in Birmingham. Yet the “Courageous Eight” prevailed, and today, this church is remembered as crucial to the achievement of racial parity in America, such as it is.

Is there a more pressing civil-rights issue today than abortion? Churches rightly support crisis-pregnancy centers, marches, and prayers. However, in my experience, local churches are neglecting support for the ordinary means by which we shape public policy—voting.

Why are churches hesitant to conduct voter-registration drives and encourage voting? I’d like to rebut some possible reasons:

1. Pastors may worry that voter-registration drives could be perceived as political activism or implicit endorsement of a party. Even if the activity doesn’t threaten tax-exemption, it may cause internal conflict, which pastors naturally want to avoid. Yet these concerns can be addressed if churches offer registration assistance to everyone without regard to a person’s party affiliation or political preferences. This is especially easy in Tennessee where registration doesn’t involve party affiliation.

2. Pastors assume that most people in their congregation are already registered to vote. However, in Knox County, at least 25% of eligible adults are not registered. There is little reason to believe that the numbers are much different among regular churchgoers. Further, many people forget to update their information when they move or marry. Regular voter-registration drives offer people the opportunity to keep their information current.

3. People view voting as a civic responsibility, not a religious one. But such a distinction is foreign to Christianity. In one breath, Jesus taught us to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s (Matthew 22:21). These are not two separate commands, but two aspects of one command to respect authority. As a democratic republic, we can obey both aspects at once by voting.

Pastors must give approval, but the laity should take responsibility for practical implementation. Women’s groups? Knights of Columbus? Young-adult ministries? Any such group could coordinate a voter-registration drive. Further, there’s no need to start the planning from scratch. In 2024, the Virginia Catholic Conference issued a guide on “How to Conduct Voter Registration Drives.” This guide is a great starting point for any church.

Finally, this letter is motivated by looming elections this year, but regular voter-registration drives should be a perennial effort by local churches, because “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation” (USCCB: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, p. 7).

If you’d like to see how easy voter registration is in Tennessee, reply or text message to attend my training session on June 10 at 8:00 p.m.

Come Holy Spirit!

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Dear Friends,

The next election is rapidly approaching! On August 6, we will elect Knox County officials, select nominees for state and federal offices, and choose leaders for the Town of Farragut. To participate in this election, you must be registered to vote by July 7. You do not have to declare or commit to a political party as part of the registration process.

If you have a Tennessee driver’s license or ID, voter registration is entirely online and can be completed in less than 10 minutes. In preparation for this article, I watched my 18-year-old daughter complete her application. It’s really very easy.

Register to vote here.

If you have moved since you registered, you should update your information. This is also done online using the voter registration system. You will be guided to select “New Voter Registration” if you were previously registered to vote in Tennessee but have moved to a different county, or if you are unsure whether you are registered in your current county of residence.

You can select “Update Voter Registration” if you have moved within the county in which you are currently registered, or if you have legally changed your name.

The State of Tennessee removes voters from the registration rolls after eight years of inactivity. If it has been a while since you last voted, you may need to re-register.

Check here to see if you are registered to vote.

In the last comparable election, held in August 2022, only 54.3% of registered Tennessee voters cast ballots. Turnout in Knox County was somewhat higher, at 60.7%, but we still have plenty of room for improvement.

I’ve started researching candidates who will appear on Republican ballots in Knox County on August 6. You’ll find candidates for state, federal, and Farragut offices below my signature. Any advice from readers would be appreciated. I plan to talk to candidates, review websites and news coverage, and pull candidates’ affiliations in primary elections, and I’m grateful to paid subscribers who help support this effort.

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Let the record show that in the recent race for Knox County Sheriff, I recommended Mike Davis—the only candidate with no recent association with the KCSO. In private exchanges, I advised people not to vote for J.J. Jones or David Amburn, both of whom were indicted last week on felony charges. Brent Gibson, a trainer for the KCSO, clinched the Republican nomination and will be the next sheriff, because the Democrats do not have a candidate.

Christians have a moral obligation to vote. For Catholics, the Catechism is clear:

Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country. — Catechism of the Catholic Church §2240

If you have any trouble registering to vote, feel free to reach out and I will help you.

Come Holy Spirit!

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Candidates who will appear on Republican ballots in Knox County on August 6, 2026
Early voting begins on July 17

Governor (Republican primary)
Marsha Blackburn
John Rose
Monty Fritts

United States Senate (Republican primary)
Bill Hagerty (unopposed)

United States House of Representatives, District 2 (Republican primary)
Tim Burchett (unopposed)

Tennessee Senate, District 5 (Republican primary)
Note: District 5 covers Anderson and Loudon Counties plus part of Knox County
Stacey Campfield
Jimmy Matlock

Tennessee Senate, District 7 (Republican primary)
Richard Briggs
Kent Morrell

Tennessee House of Representatives, District 14 (Republican primary)
Jason Zachary (unopposed)

Tennessee House of Representatives, District 16 (Republican primary)
Michele Carringer (unopposed)

Tennessee House of Representatives, District 18 (Republican primary)
Elaine Davis
Brent Jones
Elliott Schuchardt

Tennessee House of Representatives, District 19 (Republican primary)
Dave Wright (unopposed)

Tennessee House of Representatives, District 89 (Republican primary)
Justin Lafferty (unopposed)

Republican State Executive Committeewoman, District 5
Sherri Garrett (unopposed)

Republican State Executive Committeeman, District 6
Martin Ammons
Brian Hornback

Republican State Executive Committeewoman, District 6
Gwendolyn Baxter
Jane Chedester

Republican State Executive Committeeman, District 7
Jeremy Coffey (unopposed)

Republican State Executive Committeewoman, District 7
Staci Beeler
Janis Crye

Mayor, Town of Farragut
Alexander Cain
Louise Povlin

Alderman, Ward 1, Town of Farragut
Dian Hall
Joseph Ruffalo

Alderman, Ward 2, Town of Farragut
Joe LaCroix
Greg Wiberly

This article was edited by Mrs. Taylor Williams.

With more than 2700 subscribers, Knoxville Nobility is now one of the most popular Substacks in Knoxville. If you got this email directly, then you already have a free subscription. If you got this email because someone forwarded it to you, you can receive future articles directly to your inbox.

Dear Friends,

Thank you to all of you who voted!

You’ll find the unofficial primary election results, reported by the Knox County Election Commission, below my signature.

The general election for these offices will be held on August 6th.

Our hope is in the Resurrection,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Republican nominees for the general election on August 6:

Emily F. Abbott for Criminal Court Judge Division 1 District 6
Betsy Henderson for County Mayor
Sheri Super for County Commission District 3 (by 11 votes!)
Barry Beeler for County Commission District 7
Justin D. Cofer for County Commission At-Large, Seat 10
Garrett Holt for County Commission At-Large, Seat 11
Nick McBride for County Trustee
Andrea Kline for General Sessions Judge Division IV
(KN recommended Rhonda Lee)
Brent Gibson for Sheriff
(KN recommended Mike Davis)
Charlie Susano for Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk
Mike Hammond for Criminal Court Clerk
Richie Beeler for County Clerk
Sherry Witt for Register of Deeds
Charles Frazier for Board of Education District 1
Ashley Sartelle for Board of Education District 4
Lee Ann Eaves for Board of Education District 6
(KN recommended Kevin Crateau)
Steve Triplett for Board of Education District 7
Bill Sofield for Board of Education District 9 (by 65 votes!)

In the only uncontested race on the Democratic primary ballot, Breyauna Holloway won her party’s nomination for the Board of Education District 1.

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Dear Friends,

I’m grateful to all of you who voted early in our Knox County primary election! Knoxville Nobility has readers throughout East Tennessee and beyond, but its locus—Farragut—had the second-highest turnout (5,316) of all twelve early voting locations, surpassed only by the Downtown West location (7,313). Well done!

Today is election day. If you haven’t yet cast your ballot, you still have an opportunity to make a real impact, because only about 10% of registered voters voted early. Your vote counts for more in a local primary election, because turnout is typically very low. You’ll find helpful voting information below my signature.

Five times as many people have voted in the Republican primary (28,459) as in the Democratic primary (5,753). This was entirely predictable because the Democratic ballot only had one contested race—for school board in District 1 (South Knoxville). An astute KN reader pointed me to a Reddit page where Democrats are advising other Democrats how to vote in the Republican primary.

We need people who value life, freedom, and authentic human happiness to turn out for this election. Moreover:

“Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country (Catechism of the Catholic Church, §2240, emphasis mine).”

Unless you are providentially hindered, go vote, and take a friend with you.

Elections are important, but

Our hope is in the Resurrection,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

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Knox County primary election information:

Election day: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Find out if you are registered to vote: here
Republican primary sample ballot: here
Democratic primary sample ballot: here
Summary of candidates, including links to their websites: here
Find out your voting location: here
Bring your Tennessee driver’s license or state-issued ID.

It’s not necessary to bring your voter ID card, but if you have it, bring it, because it makes the poll worker’s job easier.

If you have any difficulties, call or text me (865-804-9721) or reply to this email, and I will do my best to help you.

Candidates recommended by Knoxville Nobility:

Emily F. Abbott for Criminal Court Judge Division 1 District 6
Betsy Henderson for County Mayor
Sheri Super for County Commission District 3
Barry Beeler for County Commission District 7
Justin D. Cofer for County Commission At-Large, Seat 10
Garrett Holt for County Commission At-Large, Seat 11
Nick McBride for County Trustee
Rhonda Lee for General Sessions Judge Division IV
Mike Davis for Sheriff
Charlie Susano for Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk
Mike Hammond for Criminal Court Clerk
Richie Beeler for County Clerk
Sherry Witt for Register of Deeds
Charles Frazier for Board of Education District 1
Ashley Sartelle for Board of Education District 4
Kevin Crateau for Board of Education District 6
Steve Triplett for Board of Education District 7
Bill Sofield for Board of Education District 9

Explanations for these choices are available on request—just reply to this email.

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Dear Friends,

Last week, Knox County Commissioner Courtney Durrett, who was elected as a Democrat, posted a video to Facebook explaining why she chose to vote in the Republican primary:

I decided that my vote would be the most effective if I voted in the Republican primary this time, and let me tell you why:

Number One. There are no contested Democratic races*. That means that every Democratic candidate that’s on the Democratic ballot right now will move forward to the August general election.

Number Two. This is the only way I would have a say in my county sheriff and my county clerk. Both of those seats do not have a Democratic candidate, so when this Republican primary is over, and we narrow it down to one person for each of those seats, that’s it. They will be the only name on the general election. So really, this Republican primary is where those two seats are chosen.

Number Three. And probably the most important reason I decided to vote in the Republican primary is I wanted to ensure that if my Democratic candidates did not win, that the Republican candidate who would take office will work across the aisle and work for all of Knox County, not just members of the Republican party.

Knox County Republican Party (KCRP) Chairman Martin Daniel sent a letter to Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen alleging that Commissioner Durrett violated Tennessee law by voting in the Republican primary.

However, if Tennessee had closed primaries—via advance party affiliation—Durrett would not have been able to pull a Republican ballot in the first place.

Exactly one year ago today, I had an email exchange with KCRP Chairman Daniel. I asked about the Knox County Republican Party’s position on whether primaries should be open or closed.

“The KCRP does not have a position on this issue,” Daniel replied.

I sent another email to Daniel yesterday asking whether the KCRP has a position now, but I did not receive a reply.

Is Durrett the only Democrat who has voted in the current Knox County Republican primary? As of yesterday, the Knox County Election Commission reported that 20,997 people have voted in the Republican primary, while only 4,354 have voted in the Democratic primary. Some Democrats may have chosen not to vote due to the lack of contested races, but surely others have made the same calculation as Durrett—that their interests were better served by voting in the Republican primary.

On April 20—just 10 days ago—a bill that would have closed Tennessee’s primary elections (SB 777 / HB 886) failed on a tied vote in the Finance, Ways, and Means subcommittee of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Four Republicans—John Gillespie, Gary Hicks, Tim Hicks, and Ryan Williams—joined with two Democrats—Jesse Chism and Antonio Parkinson—to kill the bill. Members of the State Executive Committee (SEC)—the governing body for the Republican party in the State of Tennessee—have expressed their displeasure that the General Assembly failed to close our primary elections.

“Political parties are not simply electoral vehicles — they are coalitions bound by shared values and a common vision for governance,” SEC member Tina Bensiker told Tennessee Conservative News. “The fundamental purpose of a political party is to choose nominees who reflect its values, then send those nominees into the general election to compete for the minds and hearts of every voter. That is how representative democracy is supposed to work: parties define themselves; voters choose between them.”

Today is the last day for early voting in the Knox County primary election. With Democrats voting in the Republican primary, it is going to be difficult to elect pro-life candidates like Betsy Henderson. Difficult… but not impossible. If every registered voter who values the sanctity of human life turns out to vote, we can easily overcome crossover voting by Democrats.

Unless you are providentially hindered, go vote, and take a friend with you.

Our hope is in the Resurrection,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

*Durrett misspoke when she said there were no contested elections in the Democratic primary. There are no contested elections except for in District 1, where two Democratic candidates are vying for a seat on the school board.

Knox County Primary Election information:

Early voting: April 15-30
Election day: May 5
Republican primary sample ballot: here
Democratic primary sample ballot: here
Early voting location in Farragut: 239 Jamestowne Boulevard
All other early voting locations and hours: here
Bring your Tennessee driver’s license or state-issued ID.

Candidates recommended by Knoxville Nobility:

Emily F. Abbott for Criminal Court Judge Division 1 District 6
Betsy Henderson for County Mayor
Sheri Super for County Commission District 3
Barry Beeler for County Commission District 7
Justin D. Cofer for County Commission At-Large, Seat 10
Garrett Holt for County Commission At-Large, Seat 11
Nick McBride for County Trustee
Rhonda Lee for General Sessions Judge Division IV
Mike Davis for Sheriff
Charlie Susano for Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk
Mike Hammond for Criminal Court Clerk
Richie Beeler for County Clerk
Sherry Witt for Register of Deeds
Charles Frazier for Board of Education District 1
Ashley Sartelle for Board of Education District 4
Kevin Crateau for Board of Education District 6
Steve Triplett for Board of Education District 7
Bill Sofield for Board of Education District 9

Explanations for these choices are available on request—just reply to this email.

With more than 2700 subscribers, Knoxville Nobility is now one of the most popular Substacks in Knoxville. If you got this email directly, then you already have a free subscription. If you got this email because someone forwarded it to you, you can receive future articles directly to your inbox.

Dear Friends,

Last week, the bill that would have closed Tennessee’s primary elections failed on a tied vote in the Finance, Ways, and Means subcommittee of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Four Republicans—John Gillespie, Gary Hicks, Tim Hicks, and Ryan Williams—joined with two Democrats—Jesse Chism and Antonio Parkinson—to kill the bill.

Voting to advance the bill were one Democrat, Johnny Shaw, and five Republicans: Kip Capley, Mark Cochran, John Crawford, Lee Reeves, and Jason Zachary.

One source told me that Ron Gant (R) had planned to vote for the bill. His vote would have broken the tie, but he was stuck in traffic and missed the vote.

So, for the foreseeable future, Democrats will be able to vote in Republican primary elections for their preferred candidates.

Last year, I spoke with Adam Lowe, who championed the bill in the Senate. “This was a campaign promise for me,” he said. “So, I’m going to keep bringing it back again and again. I think we had a great bill.”

Under current Tennessee law, crossover voting is illegal. However, prosecution is effectively impossible, because it would require proving the voter’s intent at the time of voting:

A registered voter is entitled to vote in a primary election for offices for which the voter is qualified to vote at the polling place where the voter is registered if… at the time the voter seeks to vote, the voter declares allegiance to the political party in whose primary the voter seeks to vote and states that the voter intends to affiliate with that party (TCA §2-7-115).

After losing his 2024 re-election bid, John Ragan reviewed voting records and identified 22 individuals who voted in the Republican primary despite having participated exclusively in Democratic primaries over the previous four cycles. None were prosecuted for crossover voting.

So, if you’re wondering whether you really need to vote in the current primary election, the answer is: Yes, you do. As an outspoken pro-life candidate for Knox County Mayor, Betsy Henderson needs every vote she can get.

Representative Jason Zachary, whose district includes Farragut, recently endorsed Betsy Henderson as the only candidate in the mayoral race “who has not supported a Democrat either financially or with a vote.”

Early voting ends this Thursday, April 30. Early voting is the way to go, because you can vote at any polling location in the county. For Farragut residents, the most convenient location is likely the Farragut Community Center (239 Jamestowne Boulevard). You’ll find more details on voting below my signature.

I learned the phrase “providentially hindered” from Pastor Rich Elseroad, longtime pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. He used it to mean something along the lines of “dead” or at least “incapacitated.”

Unless you are providentially hindered, go vote.

One more thing: I’m grateful to those of you who recently renewed your paid subscriptions to Knoxville Nobility. Thank you! Collectively, paid subscribers have donated $95 this year to the Pregnancy Resource Center. If you’d like to become a paid subscriber, we’d love to have you.

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Easter blessings to you all,

Jennifer Hay
Knoxville Nobility
865.804.9721
(Replies to this email come directly to me.)

Knox County Primary Election information:

Early voting: April 15-30
Election day: May 5
Republican primary sample ballot: here
Democratic primary sample ballot: here
Voting location in Farragut: 239 Jamestowne Boulevard
All other early voting locations and hours: here
Bring your Tennessee driver’s license or state-issued ID.

Candidates recommended by Knoxville Nobility:

Emily F. Abbott for Criminal Court Judge Division 1 District 6
Betsy Henderson for County Mayor
Sheri Super for County Commission District 3
Barry Beeler for County Commission District 7
Justin D. Cofer for County Commission At-Large, Seat 10
Garrett Holt for County Commission At-Large, Seat 11
Nick McBride for County Trustee
Rhonda Lee for General Sessions Judge Division IV
Mike Davis for Sheriff
Charlie Susano for Circuit, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Court Clerk
Mike Hammond for Criminal Court Clerk
Richie Beeler for County Clerk
Sherry Witt for Register of Deeds
Charles Frazier for Board of Education District 1
Ashley Sartelle for Board of Education District 4
Kevin Crateau for Board of Education District 6
Steve Triplett for Board of Education District 7
Bill Sofield for Board of Education District 9

Explanations for these choices are available on request—just reply to this email.

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