As the 2026 elections near, Knox County voters must scrutinize candidates for critical roles like Knox County Clerk. Richie Beeler, a former County Commissioner (one year as Commission Chairman) and current candidate for Clerk, has raised red flags with repeated violations of campaign election laws.

On August 23, 2025, #TheMegaBullhornofTruth here exposed an advertisement in the Farragut Press lacking the STATE OF TENNESSEE mandatory “Paid for” disclosure, a violation of Tennessee campaign finance laws requiring transparent funding details to ensure accountability. Despite the report, Beeler has persisted with non-compliant ads, including another in the Farragut Press and one in Homegrown Magazine, both missing required disclosures. Most notably, at the September 19 Republican dinner, where Beeler was a Program Sponsor, his ad lacked the proper disclosure, while other candidates’ ads complied. It is NOT the publications or organizations responsibility to ensure the ads are compliant but the campaign and in particular THE CANDIDATE, RICHIE BEELER.

Beeler is no newcomer to politics. Having served as County Commissioner and one year as Commission Chairman, and currently working as Chief Deputy for the County Clerk, he should be well-versed in election regulations. These repeated lapses suggest either carelessness or deliberate disregard for state law.

The County Clerk role, with a salary of $164,903.70, oversees vital services like license plate renewals, some driver’s licenses, passport applications, notary public applications, marriage licenses, and business licenses. Mistakes in these areas can result in fines or legal issues for residents.