Richard “Bud” Armstrong survived a challenge from Knoxville litigator Nathan Rowell to hold onto his seat. Rowell who was/is not a politician unlike the Law Director. Armstrong who retired as a TVA bureaucrat, went on to serve on the Knox County Commission from East Knox Co and then went on to lose an at large bid for Knox Co Commission in 2010 to now Knox Co. Trustee Ed Shouse.

Rowell who didn’t get started campaigning until mid January, was successful in raising more than $100,000.00 in his effort to challenge Armstrong and the good ole boy network will be back. In his concession press release, he encouraged his supporters to save their signs. Pick them up, hold on to them, they will be used in 2020. The final results are Armstrong 27,371 votes or 60.76% to Rowell’s 17,675 votes or 39.24%