Write-in candidate emerges in state House race to replace Armstrong

A third contestant has entered the November election to replace Joe Armstrong as East Knoxville’s state House representative.

Rhonda Lynnese Gallman, also known as “Mousie”, has officially qualified as a write-in candidate.

Her campaign literature touts: “Have the Gall to vote Gallman. Rhonda is reachable, relatable and responsible for your vote.”

She will challenge Democrat Rick Staples and independent Pete Drew.

Gallman, 49, has been a regular voter in Knox County since at least 2000 and so far has voted in Democratic primaries.

The local Democrats picked Staples to replace 15^th District state Rep. Joe Armstrong after his conviction on a federal count of filing a false tax return.

The deadline to qualify as a write-in candidate is noon Sept. 19.