The Key is a forward-looking guide to getting involved in local politics.
2026 primary and general election dates in Tennessee
Here are the dates and elections to look out for in 2026.
Next time the Knoxville City Council meets on Jan. 6, it will include be five new faces who were sworn in Dec. 20:
- District 1: Karyn Adams
- District 2: Nathan Honeycutt
- District 3: Doug Lloyd
- District 4: Matthew Debardelaben
- District 6: Denzel Grant
What you can do: Now that councilmembers are sworn in, they have official city emails and phone numbers you can use in case you want to reach out to them. To find out who your councilmember is, input your address at kgis.org.
Veteran councilmembers’ contacts are the same as before:
The new council on Dec. 20 elected Fugate to be vice mayor. Fugate will have no legislative advantages but is now next in line in case Mayor Indya Kincannon becomes incapacitated. Fugate is also in charge of coordinating councilmember workshops.
Farmers and zoning experts have opportunities to serve Knox County
One Knox County board and one committee are seeking applicants to fill vacant seats:
Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals:
The board of zoning appeals is looking for a new member to serve until Sept. 30.
Requirements: Applicants must live in the county’s Third District, which includes Cedar Bluff and surrounding communities. If you want to see whether you’re eligible, input your address at kgis.org.
What does the board of zoning appeals do? The board hears requests for variances of the Knox County zoning regulations, appeals of uses on review, and appeals of zoning enforcement & stormwater engineering administrative decisions and penalties.
The board is made up of one member from each of the county’s nine commission districts.
When does the board meet? The board meets at 1:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month in the main assembly room of the City-County Building.
How do I apply? Submit a resumé by hand, mail, email or fax by 4 p.m. Jan. 9 to the commission office.
- Knox County Commission Office, Suite 603, City-County Building, 400 Main St., Knoxville, TN, 37902
- Fax: 865-215-2038
Candidate interviews: Commissioners will interview candidates at 3 p.m. Jan 20 in the small assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St.
Final decision: Commissioners will vote on the appointee at 5 p.m. Jan. 26 in the main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St.
Knox County Agricultural Extension Committee
The county’s agricultural extension committee is looking for one male farmer and one female farmer to serve on the committee until Dec. 31, 2027.
What’s the agricultural extension committee? Because Knox County gives money to the University of Tennessee’s agricultural extension program every year, it’s required to have a committee made up of three county commissioners and two farmers.
Commissioner Adam Thompson, who represents East Knox County, and countywide Commissioners Kim Frazier and Larsen Jay are currently on the committee.
Knox News was unable to find on the county’s website when the committee meets.
How do I apply? Submit a resumé by hand, mail, email or fax by 4 p.m. Jan. 9 to the commission office.
- Knox County Commission Office, Suite 603, City-County Building, 400 Main St., Knoxville, TN, 37902.
- Fax: 865-215-2038
Candidate interviews: Commissioners will interview candidates at 3 p.m. Jan 20 in the small assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St.
Final decision: Commissioners will vote on the appointee at 5 p.m. Jan. 26 in the main assembly room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St.
Knoxville hires a new human resources director
Five-year City of Knoxville HR Director Kelly Drummond is leaving, and the city announced Dec. 22 Betsy Cunningham will take her place.
Cunningham’s salary will be $123,000
Drummond will become the national head of talent for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
During her time working for the city, Drummond completed a comprehensive compensation study that led to raises for city employees.
Cunningham, who will take over in “early January,” according to a release from the city, was previously the human resources consultant for the the Municipal Technical Advisory Service through the University of Tennessee, which advises Tennessee cities on everything from public safety to human resources and legal assistance.
“I am so excited to join the City of Knoxville,” Cunningham said in the release. “The city’s commitment to its employees and residents is undeniable. I’m looking forward to being a part of the team, and playing a part in keeping this positive momentum going.”
Current Knoxville human resources consulting manager Mary-Margaret Murray, a Knox News’ 40 Under 40 2025 recipient, will become deputy director of human resources.
5 things you might have missed
Here are five news highlights from the past week:
Hayden Dunbar reported how food went to waste at Vols home games until United Way stepped in
Tyler Whetstone and I reported Bernie Lyon, KCSO chief deputy and sheriff candidate, has died
Allie Feinberg is the politics reporter for Knox News. Email: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com; Reddit: u/KnoxNewsAllie
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