Image Credit: Mike Davis for Knox County Sheriff / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
One of the candidates for Knox County Sheriff is challenging the recent primary election results after two of the other Republican candidates who appeared on the ballot were indicted along with nine other individuals associated with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) in a federal theft conspiracy case.
Republican Mike Davis announced last Thursday his intent to contest the May 5 primary election results, asserting the election should be voided and redone as he believes “a substantial number of voters would likely have voted differently had they received the critical information about the investigations and indictments.”
While neither Davis or either of the two indicted candidates, former Sheriff J.J. Jones and current Chief David Amburn, clinched the Republican nomination, current Sheriff Tom Spangler had officially endorsed Amburn for the position ahead of the election, potentially lending credence to Davis’ claim that some voters may have cast their ballots differently with the information about the federal investigation.
The winner of the primary, Brent Gibson, won 44% of the vote and is the presumptive sheriff as there are no other candidates for the office in the Aug. 6 general election. Spangler-endorsed Amburn earned about 30% while Davis placed third with 14% and J.J. Jones took the remaining 11.5% of the vote.
Davis’ attorney Lance Baker stated that Davis is not asking for Amburn and Jones to be removed from the ballot but contends that the 18,567 voters who picked either man might choose differently if given another chance and knowledge of the indictments. And their combined vote total of roughly 45.5% could certainly be enough to significantly bolster Gibson’s victory margin or completely change the election results in Davis’ favor if those voters had the opportunity to recast their ballots.
Baker has already appeared before the Knox County Commission to inform the body about the contest, which had to be filed within five days of the election’s official certification, and the Tennessee Republican Party oversees election challenges per the state bylaws.
Party Chair Scott Golden holds the authority to determine whether a challenge claim has enough merit to be heard by the State Primary Board or to dismiss it. If Golden determines there is standing, the board will hold a hearing with the agenda, rules, and order for arguments by the challenger and their opponents set by Golden.
After all sides present their cases and evidence, the board members will vote on the decision to uphold or invalidate the election results with no appeal options for the challengers or opponents. If they do overturn the election, the state party could order a revote or even allow the local party leaders to name the winner, though that strategy was only employed by Democrats in 2008 to void an election for a State House district.
Golden has said he is exploring all options with Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins, but Knox County Elections Administrator Chris Davis did not express confidence in ensuring a revote could happen before the approaching Aug. 6 county general election should the Republican party order it.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
