Image Credit: Jacobs for Mayor / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Despite not having officially thrown his hat into the ring for governor, a political action committee recently created by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has people wondering if he is preparing to do just that.
In addition to touring the state and creating a new “Jacobs for Tennessee” logo for his social media account, Jacobs started the Big Red PAC.
An email sent to potential donors, obtained by Knox News, stated that he would be working to “fund a lot of the blocking and tackling of a potential campaign.” This would include covering the costs of staff members, as well as providing support for other candidates with shared ideals.
That fundraising is headed by Knoxville attorney Jeff Hagood. Andrew Davis, who was an advisor for Jacobs during his first and second terms as mayor as well as a manager for U.S. Representative Tim Burchett’s 2017 and 2019 campaigns, is listed as an officer for the PAC.
Davis told Knox News last month that “Big Red PAC is a leadership PAC the mayor formed to help elect Trump conservatives.”
According to Lauren Topping, counsel for the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, Big Red PAC could provide support for Jacobs in a potential gubernatorial campaign if he were taken off as a responsible party of the PAC. A PAC can provide unlimited funding to a candidate as long as they are not directly tied to the organization.
Additionally, the PAC would be allowed to cover travel expenses for Jacobs. This could come in handy as Jacobs has spent a good part of the last two years working his way through Tennessee, establishing a network of contacts.
During the recent flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene, Jacobs worked with other area mayors, helping to collect supplies. He supported President-elect Donald Trump throughout his campaign, even taking part in a social media campaign with other WWE stars. Trump has referred to Jacobs as “a friend.”
As of October, the Big Red PAC showed a fundraising total of just over $42,000. From that money, the group has provided support to U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s reelection campaign and has given funding to a number of Young Republicans groups.
Currently, no one has officially announced a bid to replace current Governor Bill Lee, who is restricted from running again due to term limits. Blackburn and Burchett have been mentioned as possible candidates, along with U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty and U.S. Representative John Rose. Candidates do not have to file paperwork to run until noon on April 2, 2026.
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One Response
MAYBE we can elect a Conservative. I’d figger the RINOs will put one or two RINOs up.