KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Four Republicans are competing to be Knox County's next representative in the state House.
The Legislature redrew the voting districts earlier this year. That created the new 89th District, located in the western portion of the county. It stretches from Lonsdale to parts of Concord.
The candidates vying for the newly-created seat in the House are from various backgrounds.
But each politician thinks he has what it takes.
"My upbringing, my experience, my education and frankly my character would do me well representing my district in Nashville," William "Bo" Pierce said.
"People are struggling and sometimes it doesn't seem like people in Nashville realize how hard it is on the ground," said Roger Kane, who owns an insurance business in Karns. "I think I'm the best representative because I've been working in the community for the last 15 years doing the exact same things I'm doing now."
"Well, I'm the youngest of the candidates so I think my ideas are the youngest and the freshest," Joey McCulley said. "I also have experience planning budget because I am a financial analyst as a career so I have experience planning budgets and I think that would be helpful on the state level."
"I have quite a bit of experience in government work," said former Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison. "I have 33 years as a police officer in this community, serving the public. I enjoy public service work. I get along with people well and I like being able to help people."
There are no Democrats in the race after the election commission ruled Shelley Breeding actually lives in Anderson County.
That means the winner of Thursday's Republican primary will be the new representative for the district.
The four candidates in Thursday's race
