Garrett Holt and the Bonafide Debate
Garrett Holt and Liz Tombras are running for the Republican nomination for County Commission District 4.
There has been some controversy with Garrett running as a Republican.
Per TN Republican Party by-laws, to qualify to run as a Republican, you have to have voted in 3 out of the last 4 major primaries. These primaries include Presidential and August primaries. The county primaries, which in 2024 will be the same day as the March Presidential primary, do not count. The reason is some counties in Tennessee have non-partisan county primaries.
Liz Tombras has the voting record to qualify under TN Republican rules. Garrett does not. Garrett was challenged and allowed to stay on the ballot.
The Knox County Republican Party publicly supported Garrett, along with 4 other candidates in the 2021 City Council races: Elizabeth Murphy, Kim Smith, Jim Klonaris, and Nick Ciparro.
Garrett has previously voted in Democrat primaries as well as donated money to Bernie Sanders in his presidential run.
Given that the Knox County Republican Party supported Garrett Holt in 2021, it is reasonable to say he should be able to run as a Republican now, despite not having the voting record.
It is also reasonable to vote not to allow him to run because he does not have the voting record.
I have publicly stated previously that Garrett should not be able run as a Republican because he does not qualify to run as a Republican. I retract this.
Republican voters will be able to decide.
On just this issue alone, I see two sides:
(1) There are large numbers of Republican voters who take issue with Garrett’s past Democrat affiliation, donating to Democrats, and not having voted in enough primaries to qualify to run as a Republican. People who have this line of thought will vote for Liz Tombras.
(2) Some or all of these issues do not matter. I have spoken to both Liz Tombras and Garrett Holt asking them a series of questions on where they stand on the issues. When they respond, I will publish their responses.
Publisher’s Position:
I do not live in the 4th County District. I have known Garrett Holt since he ran in 2021 for the Knoxville City Council. I assisted him in his campaign. I like him personally.
I spoke to Liz Tombras on the phone. I like her as well. She is a very direct, pull no punches Southern woman. She was a joy to talk to.
I am interested in issues. I do not care that Garrett voted Democrat previously. I know so many people walking away from the Democrats, I cannot keep up. I have met a number of people who supported Bernie Sanders not because they are a communist, but because he was the only candidate talking about how the elites have sold out our country. I bet a good number of Bernie Sanders supporters voted for Donald Trump in 2016.
I live in Tennessee because the Republicans in Connecticut caved and helped destroy the state. I will not vote for someone because they are a Republican. A bad Republican in the line of Larsen Jay, Richard Briggs, Bill Haslam, Bob Corker, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, or John McCain do as much or more damage than Democrats. You will see this as a theme in my writing. I want to disclose my biases up front. I am interested in the key issues and where candidates stand.
What are our real issues?
(1) Knox County is overbuilding. We do not have the infastructure: roads, sewer, water etc to keep building at the pace we are on. The county continually allows building over what should be protected wetlands. I want to hear specifics on where all candidates for County Commission stand on these issues.
(2) There has not been a full forensic audit of the county or school budgets in over 40 years. This is a must.
(3) We have serious issues, especially in districts 4 and 5 (Choto, West Knox, and Farragut) with fire and ambulance. There needs to be a discussion as to whether the county takes over this in some or all areas. Tax increases are the third rail in Knox County, however this is one we are not going to be able to avoid if we keep growing the way we are.
(4) Where do candidates stand on inappropriate and illegal content accessible to our children in the county and school libraries. Current Law Director David Buuck is too busy collecting a check to fight to defend our children against porn. Thankfully School Board Member Steve Triplett has stood up to defend our children.
(5) Knox County needs a mental health facility. Sheri and I interviewed County Commissioner Rhonda Lee and we discussed this.
I look forward to seeing Garrett and Liz’s responses on their positions.
Both candidates will have the ability to respond to this article.
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