The first wave of campaign finance reports in the 2026 Knox County races paints a familiar picture: the best-known names are also the best-funded, while several newcomers are still in the starting blocks.

In the race for Knox County Mayor, the money gap is already significant.

Commission Vice Chair Kim Frazier reported raising an impressive $114,612.07, spending $19,886.88, and finishing the period with $94,725.19 on hand. A large portion of that total includes an $88,717.07 loan, underscoring that Frazier is clearly investing heavily in the campaign early.

School Board member and former Board Chair Betsy Henderson also posted strong numbers. Henderson began the period with $71,307.12, raised $40,550, spent $26,780.76, and now has $85,076.36 cash on hand. Those figures put her in a competitive position and show steady fundraising momentum.

At-Large Commissioner and former Commission Chair Larsen Jay continues to dominate the financial side of the race. Jay started with $371,134.88, raised another $156,725.53, spent $194,043.32, and still sits on a hefty $333,817.09. With a war chest of that size, Jay enters the heart of the campaign season with a clear financial advantage.

Down-ballot, the At-Large Commissioner Seat 10 race is still taking shape.

On the Republican side, 

Cofer has not been a candidate long enough to be required to file a report. 

Kimberly Glenn reported raising $6,050, spending $1,547.61, and holding $4,502.39 on hand, along with a $1,000 loan. 

Ronnie Rochelle reported raising $20,500.01, spending $16,266.27, and ending with $4,233.74 on hand, plus a $10,000.01 loan and $1,707.87 in obligations.

On the Democratic side, Katina Sharp is not yet required to file a report. 

Independent candidate Ronin Cunningham reported zero raised, zero spent, and zero on hand.

In the At-Large Commissioner Seat 11 race, Republican reports for Garrett Holt and Liz Tombras have not yet been posted online, leaving their financial positions unclear for now. 

On the Democratic side, Vivian Underwood Shipe reported raising $250, spending $44.91, and finishing with $205.09 on hand.

As always, early money is not destiny, but it does shape the battlefield. The mayor’s race, in particular, is already showing a clear separation between the top-tier contenders and the rest of the field. With months still to go, these numbers will be worth watching as candidates ramp up fundraising, spending, and voter outreach across Knox County.