Former Fourth District County Commission Candidate Ruthie Kulhman announced in September her desire to be the next Knox County Republican Chair. She went so far as to select Tim Newlon, (political advisor to Property Assessor Phil Ballard & State Rep Roger Kane) as her running mate to be first vice chair.

John Gabriel, former President of the West Knox Republican Club (the club has its own by laws and operates separate from the party. At last count there are 13 Republican clubs spread around Knox County) has announced his candidacy for the top Republican job.

Sources indicate that State Executive Republican Committeman Seventh Senate District Ken Gross has been making phone calls to measure support for himself. Sources also indicate that longtime Republican Activist Buddy Burkhardt has voiced an intrest in the job.