Knox County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Sarah Thorne is a Republican candidate. No specific biographical details or offices held are available in the provided research notes.

Jay Nixon is a Democrat who served as Missouri's 55th governor for two terms, from 2008 to 2017. Prior to his governorship, he was elected Attorney General for four terms, serving 16 years, and began his political career in the Missouri Senate in 1986.

Priorities: Maintaining fiscal discipline, balancing the state budget, and reforming tax credits · Re-instituting strict campaign contribution limits and advocating for campaign finance reform

Christa L. Ciotola is a Republican candidate running for election to the Knox County Commission in Ohio. A Butler Township resident, she is challenging an incumbent in the Republican primary on May 5, 2026. Ciotola has no prior political experience and shares a vision for a fiscally responsible approach to county challenges.

Priorities: Fiscally responsible approach to addressing future challenges · Addressing housing · Managing growth and land use

Bill Pursel is a Republican who serves as a Knox County Commissioner in Ohio. He previously served as a Monroe Township Trustee and has run for re-election to the county commission. Pursel emphasizes his commitment to serving the community and his "Knox County Family."

Priorities: Frugal management of the county's general fund budget · Ensuring appropriate funding for elected and appointed officials to perform their statutory duties · Advocating for county-wide funding for Fire and EMS departments

Beau Hawk is a Democratic labor leader and community advocate running for Knox County Mayor. He serves as the president of the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Central Labor Council and is a business representative for the Knoxville Building and Construction Trades Council. Hawk's campaign focuses on affordability and delivering results for working families in the community.

Priorities: Address housing affordability · Improve government transparency and fiscal responsibility · Implement proactive infrastructure and transportation planning

Josiah Fernandez is identified in research notes as an independent researcher specializing in cell biology and cancer progression, and as an athlete on the Keiser University wrestling roster. The provided information does not include details about a political candidacy for Josiah Fernandez as an Independent party member, nor any policy positions or campaign-related information.

Katherine Bike is a Democratic member of the Knox County Board of Education in Tennessee, representing District 4. She assumed office on September 1, 2022, and is running for re-election. Bike advocates for strong public schools, supporting teachers, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all students in Knox County.

Priorities: Advocating for strong public schools and equitable opportunities for all students · Supporting teachers · Pushing for intentional partnerships between schools to bridge funding and resource gaps

Ashley Sartelle is a Republican candidate for the Knox County Board of Education District 4. She serves as the Finance Director at Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from the University of Mississippi. Sartelle is committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and be prepared for their future.

Priorities: Renewed focus on core academics (reading, writing, and math) · Recruiting and retaining high-quality educators