Armstrong in the law director race?

Man, I've been out of the loop recently, working on some other things. Finally got around to checking out some of the blogs, reading the paper, whatever.

I noticed Brian Hornback had a post about a rumor that former District 8 County Commissioner Richard “Bud” Armstrong is “testing the waters for a possible candidacy for Knox County law director next year.”

In the brief months that our paths crossed (me joining the Sentinel and Bud leaving the commission) I always enjoyed talking to him. Although, I don't think he remembered me.

Heh.

Anyhoo, I decided to give him a call this morning and ask whether he was interested in running for office again. County Law Director Joe Jarret has already announced on Facebook that he is seeking the spot.

When I told Bud about the post I read, he acted surprised, saying he wasn't “ready to talk about it yet.”

“I'm working myself to death right now,” he said, laughing. “My law practice is kicking in and I think the biggest problem in life is that I can't say 'no.'”

So are you interested, I asked again.

“I really don't have anything to say about it at this time,” he said. “I'm just practicing law. I don't know what I”m going to do in the future if anything. That's a true statement, but I'm not ruling out anything.”

Then he quickly joked that he wasn't even sure when the election will be held. (It's in March 2012.)

“That's how much I've looked at this,” he said.

Bud, though, did admit that he's been approached about running, but said that's to be expected, since he's an attorney and held an elected office in the past.

“I don't think that means a whole lot because if a county commission seat were to come open I'd probably get some calls,” he said.

I don't know, but it sounds like he's certainly interested in the spot. Obviously that doesn't meant he'll jump in. Running a countywide elections is tough, especially against an incumbent - even if “he isn't from around here.”