State Rep. Joe Armstrong retires

State Rep. Joe Armstrong has retired in the wake of his federal felony tax evasion conviction and just days before the Tennessee General Assembly will meet for a special session.

"I look forward to being a constituent," He told WBIR 10News on Friday. "I look forward to making the calls rather than receiving the calls."

Armstrong said he filed the paperwork on Thursday with the governor's office, the House speaker and the majority leader.

A jury in August found the long-time East Knoxville Democrat guilty of filing a false and fraudulent tax return, but declined to convict him on two other charges - conspiracy to defraud the United States, and attempting to evade and defeat taxes.

He has since appealed and is seeking a new trial.

However, he can no longer represent the 15^th District in the state House or hold any other public office because of the conviction.

As a result, the Knox County Democratic Party picked Rick Staples to replace him in the November general election. He faces independent Pete Drew and write-in candidate Rhonda Gallman.

Rest of story right HERE.