‘Third time’s the charm’ for Garrett Holt
Candidates react to wins at Crowne Plaza
By Ken Lay
Garrett Holt’s perseverance has finally paid off.
In his third run for public office, Holt was victorious in his bid for the Knox County Commission At-Large Seat 11 Thursday night after an unsuccessful run for city council in 2022 and another failed run for Knox County Commission District 4 seat in 2024.
“I’ll have 513,000 bosses, and I can’t wait to get to work for every one of them,” said Holt, who defeated Democrat Vivian Underwood Shipe and independent David Velarde Thursday night. “I’m excited, and now the campaign is over and now the real work begins, and I can’t wait to get to work.
“The third time’s the charm and for me, it’s about getting to work and serving the people of Knox County. This is really kind of surreal in a good way.”
Holt was one of several Republicans to celebrate a victory on Election Night at the Crowne Plaza in Downtown Knoxville. He’ll take office on Sept. 1.
Nick McBride will be the next Knox County Trustee. The current register of deeds promised to bring trust back to the office.
“The trustee (Justin Biggs) surrendered 12 vehicles, and that was the right thing to do,” said McBride, who defeated Democrat Stephen Hood. “That was the first thing that I was going to do when I took office.
“I said it before, and I’ll say it again. When I was the register of deeds, my door was always open. It will be the same as trustee. My door will always be open. I’m not just saying it. I mean it. I look forward to putting my staff together and the transition. I take office on Sept. 1, and the tax bills have to go out Oct. 1, and they’re coming.”
On the Knox County Board of Education, incumbent Steve Triplett was re-elected to represent District 7 as he defeated Democrat Amy Fenner.
“It’s my honor to serve District 7 on the school board,” Triplett said. “I want to thank God, and I will continue to serve Him, and I want to thank the people of District 7.
“The school board is going to look a little different, and you’re going to have some different people, and we’ll have to figure out a way to work together.”
One of those new faces will be Lee Ann Eaves, who edged Democrat Cadence Collins in District 6.
“I was honored and humbled when I was asked to run,” Eaves said. “Now, I’m even more honored and more humbled now that I’ve won.”
In the courts, Andrea Kline defeated Ben Houston to remain Division IV General Sessions Judge.
Kline, the incumbent, said she was grateful that the campaign is over.
“I’m excited about getting down to work because I don’t have to campaign anymore,” she said.
Richard Briggs was declared the first winner of the night as he defeated Kent Morrell in the primary and will represent the Republican Party in November as he seeks re-election in District 7 of the Tennessee State Senate.
He called for unity in his acceptance speech.
“The primaries are over, and now it’s time to come together,” he said.
