Larsen Jay

09/01/2026

Thank you, Knox County.

For the last eight years, it has been my honor to serve over 513,000 citizens as their at-large Commissioner. From the very first day in 2018, through re-election in 2022, to my last day as a public official now in 2026, I’ve worked hard to show up, listen, solve problems and assist in every way possible. There’s never been a vote I couldn’t explain my reasoning, and there’s never been a time I didn’t tell people the truth. Those moments matter. I still believe public service is important, even if the politics at times can be disheartening.

This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the enduring support from my family. Adrian, Henry & Alexander have never wavered in their commitment to me or our community, and for that I thank them with all my heart. I also want to thank all the Commission colleagues I’ve served alongside these many years. Our time together in the service of others won’t be soon forgotten.

Looking back at these two terms on the local legislative body, I’m proud of the accomplishments and positive impact on the community as a whole – every district, every neighborhood and every corner of our beautiful county. As I turn to the chapter and find new ways to be helpful, please know how much your support and friendship have meant to me.

Signing off (for now). Be well, keep smiling, and take care of each other.

- Larsen.

Major County Commissioner Accomplishments
(Sept. 1, 2018 - August 31, 2026)
________________________________________

Led the Beaver Creek Watershed Cleanup, Flood-Reduction
with Three New ADA-Accessible Parks / Boat Launches

Built-out the 2020 Redistricting Informational Portal & Organizational Process

Advocated, Supported & Voted to Build Four New Elementary Schools (Adrian Burnett, Lonsdale, Mill Creek & Farragut Elementary)

Led the Northshore Drive Pedestrian Safety Project with New Park Access, Improved Parks, Under-Bridge Boardwalk & Greenway Additions

Championed Record Raises, Support & Bonuses for Sheriff’s Deputies and Law Enforcement Professionals

Modernized the Commission Facilities, Processes & Online Constituent Portal

Backed Our Veterans Community Through Donations, Special Events, Parades and Fundraisers

Enhanced Knoxville / Knox County Civic Furniture with Support for the Downtown Multi-Use Stadium

Created a State of Knox County Mental Health Report & Provider-Services Environmental Scan

Advocated, Supported & Voted for the AdvanceKnox Comprehensive Growth, Parks & Transportation Plan

Led the Effort to Clean Up over 3,200 Broken, Discarded or Duplicate Utility Poles Across Knox County

Hosted the Jail Re-entry Simulation Event with Local, State & Regional Leaders

Voted & Advocated for New Park Assets Including Open Spaces, Greenways, & Improved Facilities

Establish the PlaySpace Fund at Knox Education Foundation
to Replace & Repair Public School Playgrounds

Served as Commissioner Chair for the 2020-21 Legislative Session

Continued Volunteer Efforts with local Non-Profit Service Organizations & Community Initiatives

Renamed & Dedicated the Roy Arthur Stormwater Park in Karns

Communicated with Constituents Through 94 Monthly Digital Newsletters

Supported Veterans’ Mental Health Services, Housing & Service Animal Programs

Led the Efforts to Convert to Electronic Voting & Modernized Processes

Reformed the Sheriff’s Officers Merit Protection Council Board & Policies

Volunteered for Knox County Senior Centers, Mobile Meals
and with CAC Senior Services

Promoted Locally Owned Small Businesses with KnoxJobs Video Series

Served on 26 Government Committees Including:
Finance (Chair, Vice-Chair), Telecom, Retirement (Vice-Chair), Agriculture Extension, Insolvency Board (Chair), Audit, Legislative Affairs (Vice-Chair), Fire & Technical Rescue, Arena Use, Rules (Chair), Charter Review, B**r Board (Chair, Vice-Chair), Code Commission, Juvenile Justice Center (Chair), KCSO Merit Council Review (Chair), Joint Education (Co-Chair), Retirement Board (Vice Chair), Metro Drug Coalition, Community Media, Development Corp., Economic Development Council, Investment, Knox Education Foundation (Chair), TCCA, Transportation Planning Organization, and Parks & Recreation (Chair).

Advocated & Voted for Putting Government-Owned Properties
Back in the Private Sector & on the Tax Rolls

Dedicated and Donated 100% of all Commissioner Discretionary Funds to Knox Co. Public School Educators

Founded the Junior Commissioner Civic Youth Leadership Academy
for Public, Private & Accredited Home-School High School Students

07/20/2026

For nearly a year, I have proposed the ONLY tax cut in Knox County history - and now it'll finally come to a first vote at next week's Commission meeting. Over 20 years ago, the public was made promises by your then Mayor and Commission, yet they didn't honor many of those promises - but have been happy to collect this special DOUBLE-TAX on every vehicle, every year, to supplement the budget.

I've proposed a 5-year phase out of your annual wheel tax, putting money back in your pocket while continuing to fund libraries and engineering at the SAME level as current funding. This represents a fifteenth of a percent (0.15%) of our over $1.2B annual budget. We can afford it - our local economy is strong and latest financial show healthy tax revenues. This fiscal year alone, we've collected +$8M more than budgeted.

For all my colleagues concerned with affordability and government accountability, here's a way to make annual car ownership more affordable and renew some faith in local government. For my colleagues who believe more tax money in your pocket and lower taxes overall are better than in the government's coffers, here's a chance to support what you preach.

To the citizens of Knox County...

- If you don't want to be double-taxed...

- If you want more money back in your pocket...

- If you demand politicians your local government keep their promises...

Then contact your Knox County Commissioner this week and ask them to vote YES to REPEAL the WHEEL TAX once and for all.

https://commission.knoxcountytn.gov/people/

06/20/2026

It was an honor to help cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Karns Sportspark with five new turfed baseball diamonds. First tournament is underway! Congrats to the Knox County Parks & Rec for the efforts.

06/16/2026

I’m proud to have joined a majority of Commissioners who invested in the hard working and dedicated employees of Knox County at our budget hearing yesterday - doubling the annual raise (which is still barely above inflation) was the right thing to do and I give credit to District 3 Commissioner Gina Oster for leading the way. I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time with sheriff deputies, healthcare professionals, trash managers, road workers and countless more who work behind the scenes to make this county of 515,000+ run each and every day. They deserve our respect, appreciation and support. Sad to see three colleagues not vote for employee raises and our annual budget… elections have consequences.

Knox County Commission approves $1B budget, increases employee raises by 6% Knox County commissioners approved a $1 billion budget with a 6% pay raise for employees, funded by reallocating tax revenue, without increasing property taxes.

Knox County commissioners approved a $1 billion budget with a 6% pay raise for employees, funded by reallocating tax revenue, without increasing property taxes.

06/01/2026

"Traffic is getting worse." We hear this said constantly, yet no real solutions have been presented for the ever-increasing congestion along the I-40 corridor where four major interstates come together to form one of the busiest stretches of highway in the country.

As more people are living and working in our community and major infrastructure projects are put off, the problem continues. The growth won't stop anytime soon, so something new has to be proposed. It's clear that it's time to think differently about how traffic flows in and around Knoxville and Knox County. With help from the talented team at Design Innovation Architects (DIA), I present to you KnoxConnect, a public proposal for (Sky)ways, (Bridge)ways, and (Reclaim)ation of our busiest corridors.

This proposed idea is an opportunity to vision an elevated expressway that reduces need for land acquisition, bridges roads with pedestrian-focused green spaces to reconnect downtown with East Knoxville and the riverfront, and populates underpasses and overpasseswith pedestrian-friendly spaces infrastructure improvements. In addition to ideas within the major corridors, this proposal also solidifies the need for a new regional-bypass that helps divert the nearly 25% of the heavy truck traffic that passes through our narrow stretch of I-40.

This type of infrastructure improvement has been completed in other cities in the US and across the globe - so we know it's possible. And before someone cries "it'll cost a fortune!" the question is what will it cost if we do nothing.

I've sent this KnoxConnect proposal to several lawmakers as well as the team at TDOT for consideration -- and will continue to advocate for it with local decision makers. Will anything bold take shape and change our traffic congestion once and for all? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, we have to start dreaming a little bit and thinking about the decades to come before another generation slips by without seeing much positive change.

Gov. Bill Lee
Lt. Governor Randy McNally
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs
Mayor Indya Kincannon
Tennessee Senator Becky Massey
State Senator Richard Briggs
Speaker Cameron Sexton
Mayor Ron Williams
myTDOT

05/30/2026

The 9th annual Beaver Creek Flotilla presented by Vulcan Materials is underway. It’s not too late to join us this morning. More info and registration at www.FloatTheBeaver.com - Beaver Creek Kayak Club

05/06/2026

Unfortunately, we weren’t successful on Primary Election Day, but I am so thankful to my family, my campaign team and each one of the thousands of people who supported our run for Mayor. I also want to congratulate Betsy Henderson on becoming the Republican nominee.

As for me and my family, we’ll continue to wake up every day and ask “how can we be helpful today?”, because community service is part of who we are.

05/05/2026

Polls are open till 8pm don’t delay - head out to vote now! Find your precinct at www.KnoxVotes.org and vote Larsen Jay for Knox County Mayor!

05/05/2026

Election Day! I’ll be bouncing around Knox County today in the old grandpa truck and I hope I get a chance to say hello to all of you. For everyone who are early voted thank you. Polls are open today from 8 AM to 8 PM and I would appreciate your vote and rhe opportunity to serve as your next Knox County Mayor.

05/04/2026

Thank a teacher this Teacher Appreciation Week. Every single person in Knox County has been impacted by a teacher at some point in their lives. I am so appreciative of the educators who dedicate their lives to the students and communities they serve.