News Summary
Betsy Henderson, chair of the Knox County School Board, has kicked off her campaign for Knox County Mayor, emphasizing family and small business support. Her priorities include maintaining essential services, reducing taxes, and opposing government interference in daily life. Henderson’s tenure has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding her stance on educational reforms and the school choice voucher program. As she rallies support through community engagement and a small business tour, she faces both support and criticism heading into the competitive Republican primary.
Knoxville – Betsy Henderson, the current chair of the Knox County School Board, has officially launched her campaign for Knox County Mayor in the 2026 election. Her campaign emphasizes a strong focus on families and small businesses, highlighting her vision of a thriving community where both elements can prosper together.
Henderson has stated that her main priorities will include providing essential services such as maintaining good roads and quality schools, keeping taxes low for residents, and reducing government interference in daily life. She filed paperwork in March to designate Zane Duncan, the son of retired Congressman Jimmy Duncan, as her campaign treasurer.
With a background in educational leadership, Henderson has garnered attention for her conservative approach, particularly during her tenure on the school board. She played a pivotal role in keeping schools operational during the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully advocated for teacher pay raises without resorting to tax increases. Throughout her campaign, she has been vocal in her criticism of the current administration’s policies, attributing increased financial burdens on families to federal actions and promising to oppose any tax hikes for Knox County residents.
Policy Stances and Controversies
Henderson’s advocacy for educational reforms includes support for Governor Bill Lee’s school choice voucher program. This stance has drawn mixed reviews, especially since the Knox County school board did not officially take a position on the program. Critics, including her predecessor Terry Hill, have accused Henderson of unethical behavior for her promotion of a universal voucher proposal at the state level.
In response to the criticism, a petition calling for Henderson’s removal from the school board has gained traction among some constituents. This petition has reportedly gathered over 1,700 signatures, reflecting concerns about her alignment with community interests. Despite this growing dissent, Henderson maintains that her testimony before legislative bodies was made in her personal capacity as a mother and has expressed her intention to remain on the school board during her mayoral campaign.
Campaign Launch and Community Engagement
As part of her campaign outreach, Henderson will embark on a county-wide small business tour, with her inaugural event scheduled for May 21 at The Original Louis’ Restaurant in North Knoxville. This tour aims to engage with local business owners and voters to further discuss her vision for Knox County.
Henderson has indicated that a more formal announcement regarding her campaign will be made in the coming weeks, further detailing her plans and priorities for Knox County should she be elected as mayor.
Political Landscape
The race for Knox County Mayor is expected to be competitive, with other candidates entering the Republican primary. One notable contender is Commissioner Larsen Jay, who announced his candidacy in January 2024. Current Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs is term-limited and will not seek reelection in 2026, opening the field for challengers like Henderson and Jay to vie for the position.
As the election approaches, Henderson’s campaign will likely continue to draw both support and scrutiny from various community members and political factions, emphasizing the importance of her positions on education, taxation, and small business empowerment in shaping the future of Knox County.
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: Betsy Henderson running for Knox County Mayor
- Knox News: Henderson’s Campaign Announcement
- WATE: Henderson Announces Run for Mayor
- Wikipedia: Knox County, Tennessee
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Local Government
