McNally exit opens Fifth District seat
With Lt. Gov. Randy McNally’s announcement he will not be seeking re-election for his Fifth District state Senate seat — which covers Anderson and portions of of Knox and Loudon counties — his seat is open for the taking.
Knox County resident Richard Esparza, listed as a Republican, had already picked up a petition Feb. 20 to run before McNally’s Feb. 26 unexpected decision.
After McNally’s announcement, Knox County resident and former state representative Stacy Campfield also picked up a petition to run for the position on Feb. 26 in Knox County, according to Knox County Election Commission records.
Also in the race is David Miller of Anderson County, who is running as a Democrat. He has already returned his petition, according to Anderson County Election Commission records.
District 33 state Rep. Rick Scarbrough has picked up and returned his petition to run for re-election, but some behind-the-scenes discussion notes he might consider running for McNally’s seat. Also rumored as a potential candidate is former state Rep. Jimmy Matlock of Loudon County.
