The Halls Republican Club held its regular meeting last night (March 10, 2026) at the Boys and Girls Club on Dry Gap Pike in Halls/Powell, featuring a key focus on the hotly contested Republican primary race for Knox County General Sessions Judge Division IV (unexpired term). The seat became open late last year following retirement of Judge Andrew Jackson VI, leading to Judge Andrea Kline‘s interim appointment by the Knox County Commission in December 2025. Now, as the May 5, 2026 Republican primary approaches, voters in Knox County will decide between the incumbent judge and her challenger, Knox County Commissioner Rhonda Lee.
Both candidates addressed the club members, delivering concise presentations (limited to about seven minutes each, with a timer in use) before opening the floor to questions. The event, captured in videos shared by local content producer Brian Hornback (TheMegaBullhornofTruth), highlighted their backgrounds, judicial philosophies, and visions for the court often called the “People’s Court” due to its high volume of everyday cases.
Judge Andrea Kline: Experience in Prosecution and Public Service
Incumbent Judge Andrea Kline spoke first, introducing herself as a career public servant recently appointed to the bench. A University of Tennessee graduate with a law degree from 1995, she has practiced law for over 30 years. Her career includes private civil practice, indigent criminal and juvenile defense, guardian ad litem appointments, and—since 2000—service as an Assistant District Attorney under DAs Randy Nichols and Charme Allen. She handled high-volume dockets in Sessions Court, criminal court, grand juries, DUIs, and cases involving abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. Notably, she established Tennessee’s first elder abuse special prosecution unit and helped author legislation to strengthen protections for the elderly and vulnerable.
Kline emphasized her personal life as a wife, mother of three adult children, and active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and various nonprofits. She described General Sessions Court Division IV as the entry-level court handling the most cases—around 65,000 concluded last year—covering criminal matters (from traffic tickets to serious felonies) and civil issues (landlord-tenant disputes, small claims). Judges rotate across divisions weekly, demanding broad expertise.
Her judicial approach prioritizes preparation, efficiency, respect, fairness, and protecting constitutional rights and due process. She stressed allowing everyone—especially unrepresented litigants—to be heard, applying the law consistently without influence from personal opinions, politics, or pressure, and delivering prompt but thorough rulings to avoid unnecessary delays or costs.
Kline framed her run as a commitment to preserving court integrity and public trust, asking for support in the primary.
Commissioner Rhonda Lee: Lifelong Community Advocate and Legal Versatility
Challenger Rhonda Lee, a Knox County Commissioner representing District 7 (including areas like Halls, Powell and Heiskell), presented herself as an eight-generation Tennessean, mother of six, and grandmother of twelve. Deeply rooted in the community, she has coached softball, helped launch cheerleading programs, and served on local boards like Levi Field.
A non-traditional student and single mother, Lee earned degrees from Pellissippi State and UT before attending Nashville School of Law (commuting for four years). Despite a cancer diagnosis during law school, she persevered. Her legal experience spans top firms, legal aid volunteering, interning at the Knox County DA’s office, serving as a Special Assistant DA (appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court), and work in the U.S. Attorney’s civil division on cases like bankruptcy and white-collar crime. She has handled serious criminal matters, including murder, rape, and drug offenses.
Politically active, Lee is a lifelong Republican involved in groups like the Halls Republican Club, Powell Republican Club and others. She ran for commission during COVID over concerns about government overreach and has proudly upheld conservative values there, including introducing resolutions aligned with national figures like Charlie Kirk.
Lee described the judgeship as her true calling, especially with term limits on the commission. She expressed respect for her opponent (a former colleague from DUI prosecution days) but positioned herself as ready to serve as the “People’s Judge.” She committed to continuing advocacy for District 7 even after leaving the commission and asked attendees for votes, prayers, support, and help with campaign signs.
Why This Race Matters
General Sessions Court Division IV is a high-impact role in Knox County’s justice system, often the first (and sometimes only) court experience for many residents. With the Republican primary on May 5, 2026, and the general election August 6, this contest pits Kline’s prosecutorial depth and recent bench experience against Lee’s diverse legal background, community ties, and elected service. Both candidates received attentive audiences at the Halls club, reflecting strong local interest in conservative values and effective judicial leadership.
For more details, check the candidate presentations:
As Knox County Republicans gear up for the primary, events like this one at the Halls Republican Club provide valuable opportunities to hear directly from those seeking to uphold the rule of law in our community. 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! Stay informed and make your voice heard!
