In the recent Knox County elections held on November 5, 2024, voters overwhelmingly chose to rehire all their state representatives, sustaining the Republican majority in the state legislature. Despite Democratic efforts to capture key races, particularly the tight race between incumbent Republican state Rep. Elaine Davis and Democrat Bryan Goldberg in District 18, the results reflected continued conservative support within the region. Goldberg, despite his campaign’s outreach and bipartisan support, fell short as Davis retained her seat, earning 18,599 votes compared to Goldberg’s 15,996.
The evening, although disappointing for Democrats hoping for a breakthrough, featured a strong performance from two Democratic incumbents: Sam McKenzie and Gloria Johnson. McKenzie, who represents District 15, decisively defeated his Republican opponent, Justin Hirst, by more than double the votes, with 12,272 to Hirst’s 5,787. His victory was driven by a focus on critical issues such as minimum wage increases, criminal justice reform, and school funding, positioning himself as a voice for the Democratic agenda in a predominantly Republican body. Johnson, meanwhile, ran unopposed, reinforcing her position despite losing her bid for a Senate seat earlier in the day.
In the Republican camp, state Rep. Jason Zachary celebrated his win in District 14, where he highlighted the importance of turnout to ensure continued conservative representation. Zachary, a technology consultant, secured a solid victory over Democrat Amanda Collins, with 27,106 votes to her 14,702. His remarks emphasized the significance of voter engagement in maintaining the Republican dominance in Knox County, which has been consistent since at least 2004 in this district.
Republican Michele Carringer also successfully defended her seat in District 16, winning against challenger Lauren Carver with 21,951 votes to Carver’s 9,216. Carringer, a strong proponent of small government and low taxes, articulated her commitment to these values in her victory speech while reflecting on the state’s appeal to new residents. Her victory continues a longstanding pattern of Republican representation in the district since 1994.
In District 19, Republican Dave Wright faced no opposition, retaining his seat effortlessly. Wright has deep roots in the local political scene, having previously served on the Knox County Commission, and has been a part of the Tennessee House since 2019. Similarly, Justin Lafferty retained his seat in District 89 against Democrat Cary Hammond, achieving 23,713 votes to Hammond’s 11,914. Lafferty’s victory speech hinted at broader political sentiments, expressing hope that the electorate was beginning to wake up to national political challenges.
Finally, amid these results, Gloria Johnson’s unopposed reelection in District 90, despite her earlier defeat in the Senate race, highlights the complexity and duality of political campaigns in Tennessee. Her previous service in the House along with her background as a retired educator allowed her to maintain a significant voter base in her district. Overall, Knox County’s election outcomes reflect a continued preference for Republican candidates while highlighting pockets of Democratic strength, particularly through incumbents like McKenzie and Johnson who remain committed to advocating for progressive issues within a challenging political landscape.
