Last night, the Halls Republican Club in North Knox County brought together the three Republican candidates for Knox County Mayor for an evening of direct conversation with local voters. With term-limited Mayor Glenn Jacobs stepping down, the May 5, 2026 primary is shaping up to be a pivotal race, and the club gave attendees a front-row seat to hear from Kim Frazier, Larsen Jay, and Betsy Henderson.
The presentations were professionally recorded by content producer Brian Hornback of TheMegaBullhornofTruth and are now available on YouTube. If you missed the meeting or want to revisit the candidates’ messages, here are the full videos:
• Kim Frazier: Watch here
• Larsen Jay: Watch here
• Betsy Henderson: Watch here
Kim Frazier: Experience, Action, and Community First
Knox County Commission Vice-Chair Kim Frazier opened by grounding her candidacy in her Southeastern roots. Raised on a 120-acre family farm by working-class Christian parents, Frazier stressed faith, family, and freedom as her core values. Married to Russ (a 25-year Knox County SWAT, active Air Force Reserve and a Physician), the couple have two sons at the University of Tennessee.
With over 30 years as a healthcare executive, HR director, and small-business owner, Frazier argued she is uniquely prepared to run county government as its chief executive. She highlighted her 2022 commission win as a grassroots candidate and her record since then:
• Over $100 million invested in roads, parks, and infrastructure
• Support for schools and law enforcement
• Farmland conservation legislation
• Updated 30-year-old development regulations
Frazier pledged to create a citizens advisory council, hold regular town halls, keep taxes low by making developers pay their fair share, and grow “with purpose” while preserving community character. Her message was clear: she knows the job, has the executive experience, and is ready to lead through the county’s growth challenges.
Larsen Jay: Infrastructure, Safety, and Long-Term Vision
At-Large Commissioner Larsen Jay, who has represented all of Knox County for eight years, framed the race as a 20- to 40-year decision, not a short-term political contest. A seventh-generation Tennessean, UT graduate, and former executive who managed thousands of employees in a billion-dollar company, Jay brought a business-minded approach.
He pointed to tangible accomplishments during his tenure: new schools (including full construction of Adrien Burnette instead of temporary fixes), deputy pay raises and equipment upgrades, road projects, and Beaver Creek flood mitigation. Jay noted that Knox County has grown 36% in 25 years and could add another 100,000–200,000 residents—yet many neighborhoods have never been repaved.
His top priorities:
1. Infrastructure — proactive investment in roads, schools, and senior services to avoid far higher costs later
2. Law enforcement — fair pay and proper equipment for safer neighborhoods
3. Education — strong support for public schools serving 95% of Knox County students
Jay closed by asking voters to choose the candidate with proven executive experience who will run the county like the billion-dollar operation it is.
Betsy Henderson: School Board Leader Bringing Education Focus
Knox County School Board member Betsy Henderson rounded out the evening, sharing her perspective as a candidate with deep roots in public education. As one of the three Republicans on the May 5 ballot, Henderson emphasized her commitment to effective, accountable local government and the importance of strong schools as the foundation of a thriving county.
Henderson is the one candidate that has pledged NO TAX INCREASE the next four years.
Her full remarks are available in the video linked above—well worth watching to hear her vision directly from the meeting.
Why This Meeting Mattered
The Halls Republican Club delivered exactly what voters want in the early stages of a major race: unfiltered access to the candidates in a friendly, conservative setting. All three speakers touched on the same core challenges facing Knox County—explosive growth, strained infrastructure, public safety, education, and preserving our rural and community character—while offering their own experience and solutions.
The Republican primary is May 5, 2026, followed by the general election on August 6. Whether you’re a Halls resident or anywhere else in Knox County, now is the time to watch these presentations, ask questions, and get informed.
Of course TheMegaBullhornofTruth a Brian Hornback Production will be there, so that you MY valuable readers do not miss out. Who else in town does this for you? EXACTLY! — Your Local East Tennessee Political Observer, I am!
What did you think of the candidates’ messages? Drop your thoughts in the comments—civil discussion encouraged. And if you attended the meeting, tell us what stood out to you! Stay tuned for more coverage as the campaign heats up. Knox County’s future is on the ballot, and the Halls Republican Club helped elevate the message.
