At-Large Commissioner pledges to lead with strong values, responsible growth, and community minded leadership
KNOX COUNTY, TN (WOKI) – Kim Frazier, current Knox County At-Large Commissioner and longtime community advocate, has officially announced her candidacy for Knox County Mayor
in the Republican Primary to be held on May 5, 2026. Frazier has earned a reputation as a principled leader who listens, collaborates, and gets things done. With decades of experience in business, public service, infrastructure planning, and civic advocacy, she enters the race with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Knox County.
“It has been an incredible privilege to serve all of Knox County as an At-Large Commissioner,” said Frazier. “I’m running for Mayor to continue that service — to continue to be a voice for the hard working people of our county, to lead with efficiency, invest where t matters most, and preserve what makes our county so special.”
Frazier’s grassroots campaign will center on her commitment to put Communities First, with key priorities including:
● Responsible Growth and Infrastructure – Plan responsibly and invest in roads,
utilities, and schools to support current and future residents.
● Preserve Community Character – Implement land use policies that reflect the
identity of Knox County’s unique communities.
● Public Safety and Community Well-Being – Support first responders and continue
to engage in efforts to address mental health, substance misuse, and
homelessness.
● Fiscal Accountability – Ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and are
addressing current, identified needs.
● Strong Schools and Educational Pathways – Support school academic excellence
for all and the expansion of career pathways and education opportunities for youth.
● Collaborative, Community Minded Leadership – Engage citizens, listen first, and
lead with solutions — not politics.
An experience at her sons’ overcrowded elementary school launched Frazier’s journey into
local government more than 14 years ago. That concern turned into years of advocacy for
better schools, smarter development, and stronger infrastructure — and ultimately led to
her election to Knox County Commission in 2022.
During her term as an At-Large County Commissioner, Frazier:
● Led the effort to require infrastructure improvements alongside new development;
● Championed the county’s first Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan,
identifying areas for growth only where infrastructure is present or planned;
● Initiated audits and updates of outdated zoning and development regulations;
● Challenged and championed the improvement of ambulatory emergency response
times;
● Secured funding and planning for numerous road paving and improvement projects
all over the county;
● Improved the rules regarding the function of Commission;
● Championed local support for the passage of Tennessee’s Farm Preservation Act;
● Initiated a comprehensive review of the County’s Code of Ethics;
● Secured funding and planning for the addition and enhancement of recreational
areas and school facilities countywide;
● Supported efforts to minimize barriers to citizen participation and worked to
encourage more citizen engagement in local government, including revising time
and date of zoning meetings to make them more convenient for citizens to attend,
implementing open application process for appointments, reducing requirements,
and adding citizen positions on boards, committees, or councils;
● Initiated the inclusion of fire jurisdictions as part of the land use application
process;
● Led discussions with Knox County Schools and Knox County Planning regarding
impact of growth and development on school capacities;
● Championed raises for law enforcement, teachers and county employees;
● Challenged rezoning requests to align in character and form with existing
development; and
● Supported conservative budgetary spending.
“I started this work as a concerned citizen. I turned it into action and policy as a countywide commissioner. And now I’m ready to take the next step — to serve as your Mayor,” Frazier said. Kim’s family is deeply rooted in public service. Her husband, Russ, has been an active and honored volunteer and medical care provider in our community since the age of 16. The son of Farragut Intermediate’s founding principal, he is the President of his medical group, serves as a Major with the 134th Air Refueling wing leading a Critical Care Air Transport Team, served 25 years as the Knox County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team tactical physician, is a past board member for the Knox County E-911 Board and Fire and Technical Rescue Committee, has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours as a previous Chief of Knox County Rescue, and travels the globe as a Field Trainer in war torn areas with Global Surgical Medical Support group. When asked about his wife, he praised her commitment and community leadership, “Kim is a doer, a problem solver, and a hard worker,” he said. “She brings people together and gets results – and we need that now more than ever.”
Together, Kim and Russ have the incredible blessing of shepherding two sons, Jackson & Maddox, both students at the University of Tennessee where they are pursuing degrees in neuroscience and architecture. When they are not studying or leading worship in their Christian Fraternity or on campus, they are performing with their up-and-coming indie rock band, The Band Solstice.
A wife, mother, and woman of faith, Kim Frazier says her commitment is personal. “I want our sons and future generations to experience the same quality of life that shaped our family,” she said. “That’s why I’m running — to put Communities First and keep Knox County thriving.”
Learn more about Kim Frazier’s campaign for Knox County Mayor at https://www.electkimfrazier.com and follow @electkimfrazier on social media.
