County qualifying deadline at noon

At this point, it looks like Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett won’t face opposition in his bid for re-election.

The deadline to qualify to run for county offices is noon today and so far no one has submitted the paperwork to challenge him. If nothing changes, then Burchett, a former a state senator and state representative, will automatically begin his second and final four-year term on Sept. 1, barring a major upset by a write-in candidate in August.

Almost every county seat, with the exception of a handful of commission and school board posts, the law directors, and property assessor, are up for re-election this year.

The county primaries are set for May 6 with the general elections set for August 7.

In addition to the mayor, Circuit Court Clerk Cathy Shanks (formerly Kathy Quist), Public Defender Mark Stephens, and 10 judges have no opposition at this point.

Further, no one has yet to challenge Charme Knight, a county prosecutor, for the district attorney general seat. So, Knight, a Republican, could end up replacing long-time Democrat and DA Randy Nichols, who will retire at the end of the term.

Overall, there are 34 posts up for election including 16 judge and chancellor seats.