KNOXVILLE (WATE) - His three former opponents and the Knox County sheriff have thrown their support behind mayoral candidate Mark Padgett.
The announcement came Wednesday in a downtown news conference that followed a press release from the Padgett campaign.
Padgett finished second behind Madeline Rogero in the race, but she lacked 50 percent of the votes plus one vote to win outright.
The mayor's race will be decided in a runoff in the November general election.
"Mark is pro-business and pro-neighborhood. He has the heart and passion to serve our community, and he's a fiscal conservative who understands how to create jobs and grow our economy," said Ivan Harmon.
Harmon, a former Knoxville city councilman and Knox County commissioner, finished third in the September primary.
"As I've gotten to know Mark on the campaign trail, I've come to appreciate his intelligence, vision and passion," said former councilman and fourth place mayoral finisher Joe Hultquist.
"He understands that Knoxville has to think regionally to grow the local economy and improve our quality of life," Hultquist added.
"After getting to know Mark and his character, I'm supporting his candidacy because I believe he will serve all of Knoxville with a servant's heart," said Bo Bennett, a 911 operator who finished out the mayoral field in fifth place.
"Like me, Mark is not a career politician, and I think that's what we need to help bring our communities together and grow Knoxville," Bennett added.
"Mark has the leadership qualities needed to be a great mayor," said Knox County Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones. "He understands that an involved community is a safe community and will be a great partner in making our neighborhoods stronger and safer."
Later Wednesday, Rogero held her own press conference and responded to the endorsements.
She reminded voters about "Black Wednesday" in 2007 when commissioners were convicted of violating the Sunshine Law by making backroom deals to appoint replacements for term-limited office holders.
A chancellor's ruling put those appointees out of office and the process had to be done again.
"I'm pointing out what they themselves have said," Rogero said. "Ivan Harmon has said they made deals months ago, whoever lost will then get behind the other one. Bennett has told me the same thing. Let's tell it how it is."
6 News spoke with Harmon after Rogero's press conference. He said he was always going to back Padgett if he lost, but he was never promised a job.
During Padgett's press conference, he also addressed questions of deals being made. "I don't believe it's proper to make promises to anyone and would not do such, and you can ask each one of them individually."
Rogero says she's not currently seeking endorsements from any city or county officials.
Early voting for the general election is from Wednesday, October 19 through Thursday, November 3.
Election day is Tuesday, November 8.
