General endorses Stokes for judge

Carl Stiner

Yesterday, retired U.S. Army Four-Star General and former Commander in Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command, Carl Stiner, announced his support and endorsement of Billy Stokes for Circuit Court Judge, Division I in the May 6 Knox County Republican primary, according to a news release the campaign sent over.

This is actually a big deal. Not every day a prominent general endorses a candidate in a local election.

Anyhoo, the release notes that during his 35 year career Stiner commanded the Army’s preeminent contingency strike forces; including the Joint Special Operations Command, the 82d Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps. General Stiner has an extensive background in special operations. His service includes involvement in operations to capture terrorists in the Achille Lauro hijacking, the Panama invasion and the capture of Manuel Noriega, as well as special operations activities during Operation Desert Storm. He also contributed to the Tom Clancy book entitled, “Shadow Warriors: Inside the Special Forces.”

You can read the entire release, which includes a statement by Stiner, right here.

Stokes faces local attorneys Ray Jenkins and Kristi Davis in the May Republican Primary. No Democrats are seeking the seat.

As always, send me your political stuff and I’ll post it.