Why these well-known Republicans donated to a South Knox County Democrat

Fundraising totals for candidates in the Knox County general election are trickling in, and some candidates are making a splash.

Democrat Matthew Park has far outpaced his Republican opposition, Andy Fox, in fundraising for the District 9 Knox County Commission race. Park raised almost $30,800 while Fox raised about $17,500. In the most recent campaign finance filings, Fox only received 14 donations, while Park received 327.

Their independent opponent, Stacey Bryan Smith, declined to raise money throughout the campaign.

Park benefitted from donations from some well-known local Republicans, among them Mike Arms, former Knox County commissioner and chief of staff to former Mayor Mike Ragsdale, and Joan Ashe, wife of former longtime Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe.

Arms donated $150 and Joan Ashe donated $250.

Early voting for the Knox County general election and Tennessee General Assembly primary election is under way. Voters can vote early until July 27 and on Primary Election Day, Aug. 1. Knox News has information about all the candidates in the 2024 Aug. 1 voter's guide.

'I look for someone who's not afraid to cross party lines to build coalitions'

Arms has donated to Democrats in the past, including Knox County Commissioner Courtney Durrett and state Rep. Sam McKenzie. Arms told Knox News he's a moderate Republican, and wants county leaders to look for opportunities to build coalitions.

"He's trying to become a great inside candidate," Arms said of Park, adding that Park has met with county officials to learn about the budget and has experience in emergency medical services.

Arms said he's heard Fox speak and knows he's "pretty much anti-development." Raising taxes is a sore subject in Knox County, but the only way to avoid it is through the economic growth that comes with development, Arms said.

"In local government, Rs and Ds shouldn't be that important," Arms said. "(The reason you vote for someone should be) what kind of commitment they can bring to the body."

'I just don't think partisan politics are that important at the local level'

Joan Ashe had a similar thought process.

She considers herself "middle of the road" and wants to vote for candidates who are as well.

"Let's say I'm aligned more like the old Howard Baker Republicans," she said. "I try not to swing too far to the right."

Because Knox County can sometimes feel like a small town, Ashe encouraged voters who normally vote for just one party to get to know the candidates personally. It's important to understand their thoughts on local issues that are outside the contentious national news cycle.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

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