Judge John Rosson, Jr. has had the job of Knoxville Municipal Judge for a good long while. He doesn’t shy away from his record. In fact, he has said he hopes his record is a reason that voters will vote to elect him again.
Normally every four years he is unopposed. He hasn’t had an opponent in 20 years. In fact, it was 2003 and then Rosson got 67.46% of the vote or 17,083 to 8,241 against him.
Judge has friends and supporters that are Democrat, some that are Republican and even those rare ones that are Independent. Isn’t that what you need or want from a Judge? One that knows the law, treats you with respect and dignity when you are in front of him/her and after it’s over, you would think, I wouldn’t mind to have a beer with that Judge.
On August 29, Knoxville voters will have four choices. Judge Rosson, Andrew Beamer, Tyler Caviness and Mary Ward. Beamer and Ward are experienced Attorneys as evidenced by the candidate profiles they completed for the Knoxville Bar Association, here. Beamer has been actively campaigning. Recently, he attended a rally where United States Senator Bernie Sanders and TN State Rep. Justin Jones were in Nashville and Beamer got a picture with Rep. Jones, Rep. Gloria Johnson and himself.
I haven’t seen or been made aware of much of Ward’s campaigning. I have not found a campaign website or campaign facebook for her, yet. Thanks to a friend for send me this link to Ward’s campaign Facebook page.
Caviness has been doing the typical campaigning as has Judge Rosson. Political signs are out, attending events. At a recent City of Knoxville event, I met Caviness and informed him that I consider Judge Rosson a longtime friend.
Now, back to the Knoxville Bar candidate profiles. One question asked was, How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as a Judge?
Rosson – “hundreds of thousands”
Beamer – “1,000+”
Ward – “Tried thousands of cases; Handled over 100 jury trials in civil and criminal cases and as a prosecutor in Georgia and Tennessee.”
Caviness – “Three jury trials as lead counsel”
Now, I really don’t believe the job of Knoxville Municipal Judge should be given to someone that will learn the job while on the job.
The Knoxville Bar are polling their members aka Knoxville area Attorneys for their opinion of the four candidates and i believe that will be out by the middle to the end of July. I understand the League of Women Voters are trying to schedule a forum for the end of July. In judicial races the candidates can not really answer a question for how they will rule on a specific case or type of case, because all cases are unique. In addition, I am planning to offer each candidate an opportunity to talk on one of my podcast.
The position of Knoxville Municipal Judge is non partisan. How have the candidates been as active participants in elections? Based on Voting History Records obtained by BrianHornback.com from the Knox County Election Commission on May 18, 2023
Rosson has voted in 81 elections since 1988 (that is as far back as the record I obtained) He has voted in City, County, State and Federal elections.
Beamer has voted in 19 elections since 2011, he has voted in City, County, State and Federal Elections.
Caviness has voted in 5 elections since 2016, County, Federal and State (NO City elections)
Ward has voted in 15 elections since 2000, County, State and Federal (NO City elections)
